United States: Pennsylvania introduces bill to legalize cannabis

A bill to legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania through a government-run model was introduced on Monday, just days after Governor Tom Wolf announced that he now supports legalization. The bill allows adults aged 21 and older to possess, consume, grow, and purchase cannabis through state-regulated stores Liquor Control Board.

«»In the interest of the effective use of law enforcement resources, increased revenue for public purposes, and individual liberty, the residents of this State acknowledge and declare that the use of cannabis should be legal for persons aged 21 and older and should be taxed,”, says the text of the law.

The bill also considers the possibility of allowing cannabis imports from other states or countries. The states from which cannabis is imported would, in exchange, have to allow imports of Pennsylvania cannabis. Moving cannabis between states is currently strictly prohibited due to cannabis being illegal under federal law, but the governor of Oregon introduced a bill to that effect last June. The bill will only take effect once cannabis is no longer illegal in the United States.

The Republican administration sees this legalization bill as an opportunity to end the criminalization of cannabis users while generating hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue and creating jobs.

«However, allowing private companies to sell cannabis in Pennsylvania could enable large corporations to take control of the cannabis industry, prioritizing profits over the well-being of our communities,» he written David Delloso, the state representative who introduced the bill. «For these reasons, my legislation will legalize adult cannabis use through the existing state-run retail system to ensure the safety and integrity of cannabis sales in Pennsylvania.»

If the bill is passed, the Liquor Control Board will have until July 1, 2020, to «adopt the regulations necessary to implement this law.» The state governor supports legalization, though he has not indicated whether a government-run model would be part of his approach. The bill is expected to face some resistance in the state Senate, where the Republican majority reacted to the announcement by expressing frustration and stating that their caucus «has no plans or interest in legalizing cannabis for recreational use.».