The Pennsylvania House has approved a bill that would create a system to allow adult use of marijuana. The final vote was 102-101 along party lines. Every Republican voted against the bill.The bill would allow cannabis to be sold from state-run stores, much like liquor and wine have traditionally been sold in Pa.”I am proud and honored to say, that the legislation that we advanced is balanced, it is responsible, and provides a robust framework,” said Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Philadelphia. “The reality is, the criminalization of cannabis does not work, it does not deter usage, it does not promote safety, and it is not in the best interest of our commonwealth.”House Bill 1200 moves on to the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Senate, where it faces an uncertain future. Republican State Sen. Dan Laughlin, who chairs the Senate Law and Justice Committee, posted on X, saying:”There is no path forward in the Senate for a state store model for adult-use cannabis.”Governor supports legalizationGov. Josh Shapiro has repeatedly expressed support for legalizing recreational marijuana. In his 2024 budget address he said:”I ask you to come together and send to my desk a bill that legalizes marijuana. But that bill should ensure the industry is regulated and taxed responsibly.Shapiro has argued that Pennsylvania is losing out on the marijuana industry, pointing out that neighboring states have legalized it. As part of his pitch, Shapiro also called on state legislators to ensure that those who were convicted for nonviolent possession of small amounts of marijuana have their records expunged.
HARRISBURG, Pa. —The Pennsylvania House has approved a bill that would create a system to allow adult use of marijuana.
The final vote was 102-101 along party lines. Every Republican voted against the bill.
The bill would allow cannabis to be sold from state-run stores, much like liquor and wine have traditionally been sold in Pa.
“I am proud and honored to say, that the legislation that we advanced is balanced, it is responsible, and provides a robust framework,” said Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Philadelphia. “The reality is, the criminalization of cannabis does not work, it does not deter usage, it does not promote safety, and it is not in the best interest of our commonwealth.”
House Bill 1200 moves on to the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Senate, where it faces an uncertain future.
Republican State Sen. Dan Laughlin, who chairs the Senate Law and Justice Committee, posted on X, saying:
“There is no path forward in the Senate for a state store model for adult-use cannabis.”
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