Pennsylvania is the latest state to make a push towards legalizing an adult-use cannabis market.
This morning, House Rep. Jake Wheatley Jr. released a co-sponsorship memo, announcing House Bill 50 - which the representative has called “the most comprehensive legalization legislation to date.”
Details of the bill include market forecasts of up to $580 million in new tax revenue. Wheatley has crafted the bill to ensure a hefty portion of that revenue will be distributed to after school programs, social justice reform, and affordable housing.
Sponsors of the bill are hoping to include PA farmers in upcoming business opportunities as the bill includes incentives for outside corporations that partner with local growers.
In the Senate, multiple representatives shared a photo on Wednesday that served as a teaser of up an upcoming legalization bill. Sen. Daylin Leach captioned a tweet with the following text: “We’ve been focusing on this for months and will soon unveil what we think will be the best, most progressive and just bill in the nation. Stay tuned!”
The Keystone State’s Governor, Tom Wolf, has already expressed interest in full legalization, stating “I think it is time for Pennsylvania to take a serious and honest look at recreational marijuana,” in early December through a tweet.
With an official bill in the House and one looming in the Senate, coupled with a pro-cannabis Governor - it appears that the state of Pennsylvania is inching closer towards an adult-use market. This move has created a hot-spot of potential on the East Coast between PA, New York, and New Jersey - three states with established medical cannabis programs who appear eager to end prohibition.