Governor Josh Shapiro is once again advocating for recreational marijuana legalization in Pennsylvania, writes Gillian McGoldrick.
Abington’s own Shapiro cited the potential tax revenue as surrounding states profit from Pennsylvanians crossing state lines to buy cannabis.
Shapiro’s administration estimates that legalizing adult-use cannabis could generate $14.8 million in tax revenue in its first year, climbing to $230 million by year four. He has proposed a 20% tax on sales, with the industry regulated by the Department of Agriculture.
Despite Democratic support, legalization faces obstacles in the Republican-controlled State Senate. The GOP is concerned over marijuana’s federal Schedule I classification and the state’s ability to manage a recreational program.
Some Republican lawmakers are warming up to the idea, especially after Ohio—a Republican stronghold—approved legalization. Additionally, Pennsylvania faces a $4.5 billion budget shortfall, potentially increasing interest in new revenue sources.
Bipartisan efforts to introduce legalization bills have stalled. Republican State Senator Dan Laughlin and Democrat Sharif Street previously proposed a regulatory framework, but the bill never received a vote.
Shapiro and House Democrats believe they have the votes to pass legalization, but others remain unconvinced of Senate Republican support, citing flaws in the state’s medical marijuana rollout.
Read more about Governor Shapiro’s move to legalize recreational marijuana in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
