2LT International News

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania: People in Pennsylvania who are 21 or older could soon be allowed to legally buy and use marijuana. The state House approved a bill this week—marking the first time a recreational marijuana proposal has passed either part of the state legislature.

All Democrats voted for the bill, while all Republicans voted against it. This debate is happening as lawmakers also work on the state budget, which often involves making deals on major issues.

Democratic Representative Rick Krajewski of Philadelphia, who sponsored the bill, said it would create jobs, make marijuana safer, and keep prices reasonable. He also pointed out that police made about 12,000 arrests last year for simple marijuana possession.

Republicans raised concerns that legalization could lead to more marijuana use, health problems, and safety risks at work. They also reminded lawmakers that marijuana is still illegal under federal law. One Republican, Rep. Marc Anderson, said kids would still get marijuana illegally and that it could be more dangerous.

The bill might be changed if the state Senate takes it up. Republican Senator Dan Laughlin said there is no support in the Senate for the idea of selling marijuana through a state-run system.

Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, supports legalization and included it in his budget. He hopes it will raise more than $500 million in the first year, mainly through license fees. That money would help pay for things like Medicaid, public transportation, and poor school districts.

The bill says the state would control marijuana sales through the same agency that handles liquor, but not inside liquor stores. Cannabis would be sold at separate stores, and the state would set the rules, prices, and safety standards.

Some of the tax money from marijuana sales would go to help disadvantaged communities, fight drug abuse, support minority-owned businesses, and help clear old marijuana charges from people’s records.

Republican Rep. Tim Bonner said that letting the government expunge convictions could interfere with the courts, but Democrats believe that part of the bill will hold up legally.

The bill also says that drivers who are not impaired but have marijuana in their system wouldn’t be charged with DUI. People could also grow a few marijuana plants at home with a permit.

Currently, 24 states allow recreational marijuana, and 14 allow it for medical use only. Pennsylvania has allowed medical marijuana since 2016.

Democratic Senator Sharif Street supports legalization but says the House bill doesn’t have enough support in the Senate. Previous bills called for letting private businesses, not the state, handle sales.

Chris Goldstein, a marijuana reform advocate, said that giving the state full control over sales might limit small business opportunities.

“This is so far away from anything we see in other states, it’s just not something that consumers are familiar with,” Goldstein said. “That’s not what people want.”