Credit: PA Internet News Service
The legalization of recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to state coffers, Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman said Thursday.
“Now more than ever, we see a desperate need for the economic boost cannabis legalization can provide. So today I am proposing we legalize adult-use cannabis here in Pennsylvania with a portion of the revenue going toward existing small business grants,” Wolf said. “Half of these grants would be earmarked for historically disadvantaged businesses, many of which have had difficulties attaining other assistance because of systemic issues.”
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In the wake of COVID-19 and the related economic impacts, the governor said legalizing recreational marijuana for adults could bring in hundreds of million in new tax revenue.
“Some states that have legalized adult-use cannabis have received millions in additional revenue,” the governor said. “In Washington state, adult-use cannabis brought in $319 million in tax revenue in 2018. In Colorado, that figure topped $266 million, and provided the city of Aurora with $900,000 to open a space for people experiencing homelessness. And these figures don’t count the secondary economic benefits of new businesses opening.”
The governor’s office said 11 states and Washington D.C. have legalized marijuana.
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Fetterman said he and the governor urged the legislature to decriminalize recreational marijuana.
“Now more than ever, we must stop prosecuting people for doing something that most Pennsylvanians don’t even think should be illegal,” the lieutenant governor said.
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The governor has proposed that a portion of tax revenue go towards “restorative justice programs that give priority to repairing the harm done to crime victims and communities as a result of marijuana criminalization.”
Fetterman toured the state to get the public’s opinion on the topic in early 2019. He reported to the governor that there should be a a referendum on legalization, decriminalization, and expungement of small possession convictions.
In September 2019, the governor came out in support of recreational marijuana in the state, but the issue gained little traction in the time since.
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Sen. Sharif Street, a Democrat from Philadelphia, stood with Wolf and Fetterman.
“Government has a responsibility to provide for and protect Pennsylvanians without cutting vital support systems or levying new taxes during a pandemic. After years of disparate enforcement of marijuana laws, which drives mass incarceration, social justice reform must be central to any policy on adult use. I’m proud to support Gov. Wolf in this effort,” he said.
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On Thursday, the governor acknowledged that legalization will take time, but called on the Republican-controlled legislature to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana from a misdemeanor to a summary offense.
State Rep. Jake Wheatley, a Democrat from Allentown, said: “I stand with the governor and lieutenant governor in support of legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis because this issue is about far more than money. This is about criminal and social justice reform and righting past wrongs. It is about creating a flourishing new industry to help keep people safe and educate them on responsible use. Especially during a pandemic, we need to provide every avenue for relief and this one is well overdue.”
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Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, a Republican from Centre County, released the following statement:
“It was Winston Churchill who said: ‘Never let a good crisis go to waste.’ We have long maintained that state laws should be changed because they are good policy for the people of Pennsylvania – not because of their potential to generate money. We do appreciate though the Governor recognizing the need for the General Assembly to play a role in this.
“We look forward to receiving specifics about his broad concepts including who would regulate this new industry, where it would be sold, strategies for enforcement and plans to minimize the impacts on the medical marijuana industry. Like with any issue, a bill would need to work its way through the Senate Committee process to be vetted. Movement on this issue should not be expected his fall.”
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