HARRISBURG Pa (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, states across the country are looking for new options and outlets for economic recovery.
On Thursday, Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman called on legislature to take up the legalization of adult-use cannabis in the state of Pennsylvania to help with economic recovery.
Legalization of adult-use cannabis will also create more outlets for restorative justice programs across the state.
“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,” Gov. 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.”
Both Gov. Wolf and Lt. Gov. Fetterman realize how long a change like this could take, they first asked for the immediate decriminalization from legislature almost a year ago and not movement has been made.
“It has been nearly a year since Governor Wolf and I urged the legislature to act on immediate decriminalization and start the discussion about legalization,” Lt. Governor Fetterman said. “Now more than ever, we must stop prosecuting people for doing something that most Pennsylvanians don't even think should be illegal."
To date, 11 states plus the District of Columbia have legalized adult-use cannabis and have seen great economic growth, and Gov. Wolf noted that in his reasoning.
“Some states that have legalized adult-use cannabis have received millions in additional revenue,” Gov. Wolf 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.”
Gov. Wolf realizes that starting up a legalized adult-use program would take time, he urged that the legislature take immediate action to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.
Aiming to take away jail time from possession of a small amount of marijuana, Gov. Wolf hopes to change the charge from a misdemeanor of the third degree to a summary offense.
Nothing is yet to be moved in the legislature, and Gov. Wolf plans to make the legalization of adult-use cannabis part of his broad fall legislative agenda.
“The time has come to legalize adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Wolf said. “It will help our economic recovery, it will help Pennsylvania families and it will help make our criminal justice system fairer.”
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