Bipartisan Pennsylvania senators are soliciting support from colleagues for a forthcoming marijuana legalization bill they plan to introduce soon.
Sens. Dan Laughlin (R) and Sharif Street (D) are once again teaming up on the reform proposal, as they have in past session. And the circulation of their co-sponsorship memo on Tuesday comes amid escalated pressure from advocates to move forward on legalization and another call for the policy change in the governor’s latest budget request.
“While Pennsylvania has made significant strides in legalizing medical marijuana, adult-use legalization would provide more access for patients who benefit from marijuana but may not qualify under current medical marijuana criteria,” the senators wrote in the new memo. “Legalization also helps strengthen the state’s marijuana infrastructure, ensuring that both medical and adult-use programs can operate safely and efficiently.”
Laughlin and Street said the legalization measure promotes public health and safety, while combating the illicit cannabis market “where safety standards are non-existent.”
“It would help end the criminalization of marijuana users, particularly in communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana-related arrests. By removing the penalties for adult-use and possession, we reduce the burden on law enforcement and the court system. Additionally, we can
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