Pennsylvania: cannabis legalization before the House of Representatives

A draft of cannabis legalization was introduced Tuesday in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and aims to promote equity and social justice through cannabis regulation.

Democratic Representative Jake Wheatley, a staunch advocate for legalization, announced that his proposal would be «the most comprehensive and robust legislation establishing a legal cannabis industry for adults.».

He acknowledges that some lawmakers remain ideologically opposed to the reform, which prevents «Pennsylvania from having such an important bipartisan conversation.» But after failing to introduce a similar bill last year, the representative revised his proposal based on feedback from Pennsylvania residents.

«Even though some of my colleagues aren’t ready to be part of the solution, people from all over the state have shown just how passionate they are about this issue, which has made it easier for me to improve the bill,» he said.

Bill HB 2050 proposes a tax structure, funding initiatives, and the legal framework governing the production, processing, and distribution of cannabis. It also provides for amnesty and the release of individuals incarcerated for nonviolent drug offenses.

A wholesale tax of 10% would be imposed on business-to-business transactions. However, producers and processors that collaborate with existing farms in the state would be exempt from this tax. Individual consumers would be subject to a retail excise tax ranging from 6% for the first two years, to 12% for the following two years, and 19% thereafter.

«Keeping taxes low at the outset and letting them rise over time is an excellent example of the feedback we received during numerous meetings with stakeholders,» Wheatley said.

Taxes collected from cannabis would be allocated to a Commonwealth reinvestment fund to finance a range of social programs: for example, to promote the participation of minorities and women in the industry, student loan repayment assistance, an after-school mentoring program, and a prevention campaign targeting adult cannabis use.

«The failure of the war on drugs has claimed countless victims. Perhaps the most important aspect of this legislation is my Cannabis Clean Slate »,« the representative wrote. »By legalizing cannabis use and simultaneously expunging past convictions, and by releasing nonviolent inmates previously convicted of drug offenses, the Commonwealth can do its part to repair the damage of the past 40 years.”

«My legislation is the culmination of social and criminal justice reform, aided by the legal use of cannabis by adults. My efforts have been and will continue to be relentless in pursuing cannabis regulation for adults, on behalf of the more than 60% Pennsylvanians who support it. I hope you will listen to your constituents and support my legislation.»

Governor Tom Wolf (D), who had initially opposed the policy change, has spoke out in favor of legalizing cannabis last year.