Pa. lawmakers say it’s high time to legalize recreational marijuana
Now a pair of House lawmakers is working on legislation to legalize recreational marijuana in the commonwealth.
State Reps. Rick Krajewski, D-Philadelphia, and Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, said Monday they are looking for sponsors for what they are calling “landmark” marijuana legislation that could generate significant revenue and help communities that have suffered the impacts of the “war on drugs.”
“We’ve heard from public health experts. We’ve heard from criminal justice and social equity advocates. We’ve learned directly from states across the country how to get this done safely and efficiently, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in public revenue,” said Krajewski, who, as chairman of a Health subcommittee, held five hearings on the issue this past session. “It’s time to move forward in Pennsylvania before we fall further behind.”
Krajewski and Frankel said the state would build a strong marketplace with a public health focus, raise significant state revenue and support individuals and communities harmed by laws that levied harsh penalties for simple marijuana possession.
“We have a moral obligation to not only legalize but also to work to repair the damage caused by decades of marijuana arrests,” Frankel said.
Among the 24 states that have legalized recreational marijuana are five of six of Pennsylvania’s neighbors. [Read More @ Penn Live]
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