A bill to legalize cannabis for adult use was introduced this week in Pennsylvania by Democratic Reps. Rick Krajewski and Dan Frankel. The proposal includes criminal justice reforms – including automatic expungement of previous low-level cannabis charges – and social equity provisions, such as reinvesting tax revenues into communities most affected by the War on Drugs.
In a statement, Krajewski, who during last year’s legislative session led six hearings studying cannabis legalization, said “The time is now for Pennsylvania.”
“We have listened carefully to public health experts, criminal justice reformers, small business advocates and community leaders. Our bill reflects what we’ve learned – that we can and must legalize cannabis in a way that is safe, equitable and beneficial to all Pennsylvanians.” — Krajewski in a press release
Frankel added that the proposal “will create clear rules that protect consumers, educate the public, and ensure that Pennsylvania small businesses and taxpayers – not out-of-state corporations – benefit from the profits.”
“By legalizing and regulating cannabis thoughtfully, we can avoid pitfalls that have marred roll outs in other states,” he said in a statement.
The bill calls for what the lawmakers call “publicly owned and accountable retail stores” which they say will maximize state revenues.
Most of the states that neighbor Pennsylvania – except for West Virginia – have legalized cannabis for adult use.
“Prohibition was never about public safety – it was about control and punishment, targeting and devastating Black and Brown Pennsylvanians,” Krajewski said in a statement. “The cannabis industry has been monopolized by corporatized private equity and it is time to propose an alternative retail model that will benefit all Pennsylvanians. We need to repair the harms of criminalization, create family-sustaining union jobs and make this industry work for all of us.”
The bill will first be heard in the House Health Committee which is chaired by Frankel.
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