Pa. House introduces marijuana legalization bill as momentum for recreational cannabis builds

A bipartisan pair of representatives announced plans to introduced a bill to legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania. The bill is largely similar to a bipartisan Senate bill that has been stalled since its introduction almost a year ago.

“Smoking marijuana should not be a crime,” said the bill’s co-sponsor, Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne). “We need to prioritize law enforcement resources and redefine a narrative that is not working in today’s society.”

The over-200 page bill, according to Kaufer (R-Luzerne) and co-sponsor Emily Kinkead (D-Allegheny),  addresses many concerns raised by both advocates and opponents of marijuana legalization. Those include public safety; consumer protection; social equity and criminal justice reform; job creation; tax revenue growth and eradication of the illicit marijuana market.

At a press conference announcing the bill, Kaufer estimated that legal marijuana sales could generate $420 million in tax revenue by the 2028-29 fiscal year. (Yes, he made the obligatory joke). That number appears to come from a report published by the state’s Independent Fiscal Office in March.

Kaufer further estimated legalization could create around 33,000 jobs — from farming the plant to marketing and selling it.

Any legalization bill would have to have the support of legislative leadership in the House and Senate if it were to pass. Currently, it’s unclear whether those party leaders have an appetite for such a bill. Still, legalization advocates see the current moment as their ripest opportunity yet. [Read More @ The Pennsylvania Capital-Star]