Pennsylvania Lawmakers Propose Comprehensive Cannabis Legalization Plan
Two Pennsylvania lawmakers have launched a bold initiative to legalize recreational marijuana, asserting that the state’s continued prohibition makes it an "outlier" amid nationwide trends. Democratic Representatives Rick Krajewski and Dan Frankel, who previously spearheaded hearings on cannabis reform, are preparing to introduce legislation aimed at decriminalizing cannabis and establishing a regulated market focused on public health, revenue generation, and support for communities adversely affected by past marijuana criminalization.
In a memo circulated among fellow lawmakers, Krajewski and Frankel emphasized that the current prohibition has failed to safeguard Pennsylvanians, as many are already consuming marijuana through cross-border purchasing, illegal markets, and unregulated products. “Prohibition is a failed policy,” the memo stated, highlighting its detrimental effects, especially on Black and Brown communities.
Krajewski, who chaired several legislative hearings, cited insights from other states that have effectively legalized cannabis, generating substantial public revenue while prioritizing safety. “It’s time to move forward in Pennsylvania before we fall further behind,” he urged. Frankel added that marijuana prohibition has created significant injustices, pledging that their bill aims to rectify past wrongs through expunging records of cannabis-related offenses and focusing on restorative justice.
The proposed legislation will also feature public safety measures, such as regulating THC levels, and it seeks to invest resources from cannabis revenue into communities most impacted by the War on Drugs. “Prohibition was a reckless and racist policy,” Krajewski stated, emphasizing a commitment to reinvesting in affected communities.
This proposal comes on the heels of another recently introduced bipartisan bill to legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania, though it has yet to progress in the House. As states nationwide continue to embrace cannabis legalization, Pennsylvania lawmakers are eager to catch up.
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