{"id":3454,"date":"2022-01-04T20:41:23","date_gmt":"2022-01-04T20:41:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/wp-home\/?p=189141"},"modified":"2022-01-04T20:41:23","modified_gmt":"2022-01-04T20:41:23","slug":"pennsylvania-gov-tells-lawmakers-to-stop-stalling-legalization-but-will-it-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=3454","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Gov tells lawmakers to stop stalling legalization, but will it help?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>  <title>Pennsylvania Gov tells lawmakers to stop stalling legalization, but will it help? &#8211; Leafly<\/title>     <!-- This is Index Exchange, a script\/\/3rd-party integration that interjects GAM. It needs to be 'ahead' of GTM in the DOM, which comes from Cephalopod. GTM loads GAM. This script needs to setup it's interjection stuff before GAM loads. --> <!-- End Index Exchange --> <!-- Quotes = strings--><!-- No quotes = boolean-->\t   <!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v17.5 (Yoast SEO v17.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->                  <!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. --> <\/p>\n<p> <!-- BEGIN Sailthru Horizon Meta Information --><\/p>\n<p><!-- END Sailthru Horizon Meta Information -->  <!-- Google Publisher Tag --> <!-- End Google Publisher Tag --> <!-- Google Tag Manager --> <!-- End Google Tag Manager --> <!-- Chartbeat --> <!-- End Chartbeat --><br \/>\n <!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->   <\/p>\n<div id=\"copy_clipboard_success\" class=\"fixed top-0 left-0 right-0\">\n<div class=\"bg-white p-lg container mt-xl flex justify-between elevation-low rounded\"> <span class=\"flex items-center\">     <span class=\"ml-md\">Link copied to your clipboard<\/span> <\/span> <button id=\"copy_clipboard_close_btn\">    <\/button> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->   <title>Leafly<\/title>     <title>Leafly \u00ae<\/title>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              <title>Loading\u2026<\/title>                <\/p>\n<div class=\"bg-white fixed flex hidden inset-0 items-start md:h-auto md:items-center overflow-auto\" id=\"age-gate-container\">\n<div class=\"bg-white md:h-auto mx-auto p-lg text-sm w-full\" id=\"age-gate\">\n<p><label for=\"select-country\">Where are you from?<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"age-gate__info\">\n<p><button class=\"button\" data-testid=\"age-gate-no-button\" id=\"tou-cancel\">no<\/button><button class=\"button ml-md\" data-testid=\"age-gate-yes-button\" id=\"tou-continue\">yes<\/button><\/p>\n<p><label class=\"checkbox__label my-xl\"><span class=\"text-xs\" id=\"remember-user-label\">Remember me for 30 days. <br \/>I confirm that this is not a shared device.<\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<p class=\"error error--underage hidden\">Darn! You&#8217;re not old enough to use Leafly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"hidden age-gate__loading\">Redirecting you to<span class=\"redirect-domain\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-xs mt-auto\">By accessing this site, you accept<br \/>\nthe <a class=\"py-xl\" data-testid=\"tou-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/info\/terms-of-use\">Terms of Use<\/a><br \/>\nand <a class=\"py-xl\" data-testid=\"pp-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/info\/privacy-policy\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container my-xl\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col md:col-9\" id=\"article-content\">\n<h3>A main point of conflict for lawmakers is whether tax revenue should go to restorative justice or law enforcement<\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">In late December, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf took to <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GovernorTomWolf\/status\/1473352569606995968\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Twitter<\/a> to light a fire under the state legislature to end cannabis prohibition statewide. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cPennsylvanians have spoken, and they want to see us legalize recreational marijuana,\u201d Gov. Wolf wrote via his official social media account. But it\u2019s the \u201chow\u201d of the matter that has lawmakers in the Keystone State divided.<\/p>\n<p>Wolf has steadily pushed for \u201cefforts to restore justice to Pennsylvanians who have been over-punished for marijuana offenses.\u201d And his recent tweet included a signal to residents that he\u2019s not the one stalling progress toward recreational sales. \u201cI\u2019m for it \u2014 I just want to be sure we also include measures to restore justice to those who have been harmed by the War on Drugs,\u201d he added, before saying: \u201cLegislators, let\u2019s get this done for PA.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Pennsylvanians have spoken, and they want to see us legalize recreational marijuana.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m for it \u2014 I just want to be sure we also include measures to restore justice to those who have been harmed by the war on drugs.<\/p>\n<p>Legislators, let\u2019s get this done for PA. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/FianC3GN1R\">pic.twitter.com\/FianC3GN1R<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GovernorTomWolf\/status\/1473352569606995968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 21, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"h-so-what-s-the-hold-up-in-harrisburg\">So what\u2019s the hold up in Harrisburg?<\/h2>\n<p>Lawmakers in PA are mostly in agreement that weed should be legal. They just can\u2019t agree on how to structure a recreational market. The main disagreement centers around how to allocate the tax revenue that recreational weed will generate.<\/p>\n<p>Right now, there are three separate frameworks for legalization, with six different representatives carving paths to the same destination.<\/p>\n<p>First, there were individual Co Sponsorship Memoranda put forth by Senator Mike Regan (R), a former US Marshal. When he was a member of the state House of Representatives, Rep. Regan participated in the development of the state\u2019s medical marijuana program. Now a state senator, Regan will work closely with Rep. Amen Brown (D), who wants to make cannabis reform a reality for all citizens of the state, not just corporations and consumers. Brown represents Philadelphia, and he\u2019s intent on making sure comprehensive cannabis reform rectifies the harm done by drug laws in his and other cities.<\/p>\n<p>In September 2021, a different pair of state lawmakers\u2014Reps. Jake Wheatley (D) and Dan Frankel (D)\u2014&nbsp;revealed H.B. 2050. According to Wheatley, H.B. 2050\u2019s approach to legalization is aimed at facilitating \u201cdirect participation in the cannabis industry by individuals in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of marijuana, and by small diverse and disadvantaged businesses, laying the foundation for enhancing&nbsp;social and economic equity for individuals and communities that have been and continue to be adversely impacted by the criminalization of marijuana.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In October 2021, a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SenSharifStreet\/status\/1364637372353249282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1364637372353249282%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marijuanamoment.net%2Fbipartisan-pennsylvania-senators-team-up-on-new-marijuana-legalization-bill%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">highly-anticipated bipartisan bill<\/a>&nbsp;was also formally introduced. After months of buildup, Sens. Dan Laughlin (R) and Sharif Street (D) unveiled a nearly 240-page bill months after&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SenSharifStreet\/status\/1364637372353249282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1364637372353249282%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marijuanamoment.net%2Fbipartisan-pennsylvania-senators-team-up-on-new-marijuana-legalization-bill%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">first outlining key details<\/a>&nbsp;back in February 2021.<\/p>\n<p>But is it possible that all of this brainpower would be better consolidated on one bill? Is this divided approach the reason why even bipartisan efforts to legalize have stalled on the path to ratification?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img alt=\"pennsylvania-farmers-for-legalization\" class=\"wp-image-168543 has-ll lazyload\" width=\"724\" height=\"543\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pennsylvania-gov-tells-lawmakers-to-stop-stalling-legalization-but-will-it-help-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=550 550w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pennsylvania-gov-tells-lawmakers-to-stop-stalling-legalization-but-will-it-help-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=740 740w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pennsylvania-gov-tells-lawmakers-to-stop-stalling-legalization-but-will-it-help-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=1100 1100w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pennsylvania-gov-tells-lawmakers-to-stop-stalling-legalization-but-will-it-help-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=1480 1480w\"><figcaption>Pennsylvania citizens like \u201cFarmers for Pot\u201d (above) are heavily in favor of legalization according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fandm.edu\/uploads\/files\/355860667842193878-keyoct21-toplines.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span>polling<\/span><\/a> in the heavily agricultural state. (Bruce Barcott\/Leafly)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Keeping up with the neighbors <\/h2>\n<p>Neighboring states like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/learn\/legalization\/new-york\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New York<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/learn\/legalization\/new-jersey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New Jersey<\/a> have been among the leaders in legalization on the East Coast. Both of Pennsylvania\u2019s neighbors to the east are prioritizing access and protections for medical and recreational users as they roll out their adult-use markets. New York has even gone so far as to make it illegal for most employers to drug test for marijuana. In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy has already signed three different bills into law outlining the state\u2019s legal framework for adult usage. <\/p>\n<p>Pennsylvania, on the other hand, has yet to take a definitive step toward legalizing marijuana, in part because of its Republican-dominated General Assembly. <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-should-cops-get-cannabis-tax-money\">Should cops get cannabis tax money?<\/h2>\n<p>Sens. Laughlin (R) and Street (D) proposed SB 473 with a focus on safety and social equity. They made sure to note that the state would be missing out on between $400 million and $1 billion in new tax revenue if the general assembly doesn\u2019t make it happen. <\/p>\n<p>But tax revenue isn\u2019t enough for some conservative lawmakers to endorse the idea of freeing, forgiving, and employing former cannabis offenders.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Street, Rep. Brown, and Gov. Wolf all want robust social equity measures to be written into the law from day one. But the right-leaning legislature is more likely to favor Sen. Regan\u2019s (R) approach. While Regan wants a bill that funnels money from legalization to police departments, Brown wants to ensure the money being brought in from legalization would go towards social programs.<\/p>\n<p>Some hope the addition of Sen. Brown will make Sen. Regan\u2019s plan more balanced. Since the two members of the general assembly are coming from very different perspectives, they could find an honest middle ground that moves the state toward a cohesive and effective legal weed market. But it\u2019s also possible that squabbling over tax allocations could be a long-term barrier that stalls all three of these proposed approaches.<\/p>\n<h2>So what\u2019s the next move for cannabis consumers in Pennsylvania?<\/h2>\n<p>If you live in Pennsylvania, you have the right to contact your local representatives to remind them of why this is such an important issue. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s exciting to read news of these proposed bills, but Laughlin and Street\u2019s S.B. 473 hasn\u2019t moved at all since being referred to the Law and Justice Committee on Oct. 18th.<\/p>\n<p>With a Democratic governor and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inquirer.com\/politics\/pennsylvania\/pennsylvania-redistricting-republicans-democrats-20201123.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Republican-dominated<\/a> general assembly, the probability of ratifying progressive legislation that upholds social justice feels low. And with Gov. Wolf on his way out of his final term, the state could swing back to a Republican executive, which could also dim the chances of legalization. However, there is always the potential of the state\u2019s general assembly members shifting on the matter. <\/p>\n<p>As more information from neighboring markets and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fandm.edu\/uploads\/files\/355860667842193878-keyoct21-toplines.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">420-friendly voter data<\/a> surfaces, the decision to legalize seems more and more like a no-brainer. But authoring a bill that is fair to all of the state\u2019s citizens will clearly take more than just a few sharp legislative minds stepping up to the plate.<\/p>\n<p>Luckily, Pennsylvanians have at least one governor and six lawmakers who are currently taking a swing at it. The question is: Can they find a way to legalize access statewide while also paying dues to citizens most harmed by the failed War on Drugs? <\/p>\n<div id=\"author-box\" class=\"p-lg my-xxl bg-white rounded border border-light-grey elevation-low\">\n<div class=\"mb-lg\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pennsylvania-gov-tells-lawmakers-to-stop-stalling-legalization-but-will-it-help.jpg\" alt=\"Sarah Gethers's Bio Image\" class=\"lazyload inline-block mr-md rounded-full border border-light-grey\"> <\/p>\n<p>Sarah Gethers<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"text-sm\">Sarah Gethers is currently an au pair in Milan, Italy. Gethers has run for local public office in Harrisburg, PA, as well as worked for state government. She has a B.A. in Corporate Communication from Duquesne University.<\/p>\n<p> <a class=\"text-sm font-bold underline text-green\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/news\/author\/sarah-gethers\">View Sarah Gethers&#8217;s articles<\/a> <\/div>\n<div class=\"leafly-sailthru-signup p-lg my-xl bg-white rounded elevation-low border border-light-grey\">\n<p class=\"text-xs pt-lg\">By submitting this form, you will be subscribed to news and promotional emails from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\">Leafly<\/a> and you agree to Leafly&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/company\/tos\">Terms of Service<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/company\/privacy-policy\">Privacy Policy<\/a>. You can unsubscribe from Leafly email messages anytime.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- Chartbeat --> <!-- End Chartbeat -->  <!--\nPerformance optimized by W3 Total Cache. Learn more: https:\/\/www.boldgrid.com\/w3-total-cache\/ Served from: _ @ 2022-01-04 20:56:49 by W3 Total Cache\n--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pennsylvania Gov tells lawmakers to stop stalling legalization, but will it help? &#8211; Leafly Link copied to your clipboard Leafly Leafly \u00ae Loading\u2026 Where are you from? noyes Remember me for 30 days. I confirm that this is not a shared device. Darn! You&#8217;re not old enough to use Leafly. Redirecting you to By accessing this site, you accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. A main point of conflict for lawmakers is whether tax revenue should go to restorative justice or law enforcement In late December, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf took to Twitter to light a fire under&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3455,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marijuana_information"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pennsylvania-gov-tells-lawmakers-to-stop-stalling-legalization-but-will-it-help.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3454"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3454\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}