Pennsylvania’s Governor says he is “sick and tire of losing to friggin Ohio” in issues like marijuana legalization. He’s asking the legislature to pass a cannabis law so that the commonwealth “catch up with” neighboring states and launch legal adult-use sale, which would generate an estimated $14.8million in tax revenue within the first year.
He proposed to include expungement provisions in order to “right some wrongs” caused by prohibition.
In his budget address, Pennsylvania Governor. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, cited the fact that voters in Ohio voted to legalize marijuana at the ballot box last November. He cited this as an example “where we are falling behind other States.”
“Now Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland–practically all of our neighbors–have legalized marijuana,” the governor said in his budget speech. We’re missing out on a lucrative industry that would generate more than $250 million in revenue annually if it were fully implemented. Our failure to regulate and legalize this industry only feeds the black-market and drains resources that are needed for law enforcement.”
It’s time to catch-up. He said, “I ask you to work together to send me a bill legalizing marijuana.” But that bill should ensure that the industry is regulated, taxed and governed responsibly to create jobs and build prosperity here in Pennsylvania.
Shapiro said that he wanted the cannabis legislation provide a path for expungement of previous non-violent marijuana charges.
“Let us stop hamstringing and start competing in Pennsylvania,” said .
The budget that was released by the Governor’s Office on Tuesday follows a similar theme. It states that “the administration recognizes that it is time for Pennsylvania to legalize cannabis for adult use.”
“Every neighbor of Pennsylvania except West Virginia, including Ohio, has legalized cannabis for adult use. Pennsylvania is at a disadvantage in the current market, as it loses out on vital tax revenue and business opportunities to its neighbors. Pennsylvania’s police and courts are overburdened and have other things to do besides arresting and adjudicating people for cannabis use. The prohibition of cannabis also fuels an underground economy which is used by drug traffickers, gangs and criminals to commit violence in order to control dangerous and illicit forms of synthetic marijuana.
The budget proposes that adult-use marijuana be legalized on July 1, this year. Licensed shops will begin selling it in January 2025. The budget says that a portion of tax revenue generated by these sales will be used to “right some wrongs” for those who have been impacted negatively by outdated laws.
The summary states that “to this end, the budget proposal proposes to invest in restorative Justice initiatives from adult-use cannabis proceeds in addition to the instant expungement records of those who were incarcerated only for a possession related crime attributed to marijuana,” The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will regulate the adult-use cannabis industry as a potential new cash crop for farmers in Pennsylvania.
According to the budget, Pennsylvania could expect to receive $14.8 million from cannabis taxes in the first year following implementation in 2024-2025. The plan includes $5 million in restorative justice, $5 million in operational costs, $2,000,000 for the state police to enforce the law, $500,000 to cover administrative costs, and the remainder to go to the general fund.
The governor’s office stated that once the industry is up and running it will generate $250 million additional revenue to the Commonwealth.
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The Governor will unveil his budget proposal one day after Pennsylvania legislators convened a second hearing on marijuana legalization, focusing on the perspective of industry, with numerous stakeholders from cannabis-growing, dispensing, and testing businesses as well as clinical-registrants testifying.
At the start of Monday’s hearing, Rep. Dan Frankel, (D), who had previously sponsored cannabis legalization, stated that his personal goals were to prioritize the health and safety and provide meaningful opportunities for our constituents, especially for those who have been harmed by war on drugs.
The members of the subcommittee heard testimony from experts and asked questions regarding various aspects of marijuana oversight. These included promoting social equality and business opportunities, lab testing, and public or private operation of an industry that is legal in each state.
Frankel, during the first panel meeting held late last year said that a state-run store is “certainly” an option he considers for Pennsylvania. This is similar to what New Hampshire Governor. Chris Sununu made a recommendation for the state last year. However, a state commission later rejected that plan.
John Fetterman, a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania (D), also complained recently that Pennsylvania was being “lapped”, on marijuana policy while other states in the area legalized it.
Pennsylvania legislators recently introduced a pair bills that would prohibit police from charging medical marijuana patients with impaired driving even without proof of intoxication.
The governor signed into law a bill in December that allows all licensed medical marijuana grower/processors to act as retailers, and sell their cannabis directly to patients. Independent dispensaries can also begin cultivating marijuana.
A recent poll found that approximately two thirds of Pennsylvania voters support marijuana legalization.
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The post Pennsylvania Gov. Proposes Marijuana Legitimation in Budget so State can “catch up” with “Friggin’ Ohio appeared initially on Marijuana Moment.
