When Governor Tom Wolf presented his full, fall legislative agenda, most of the attention was focused on workers and families as they continue to struggle with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those willing to look at the Governor’s entire proposed agenda may have be surprised to find one item near the bottom of the list. Based on the media frenzy in other states, similar agenda items typically appear “higher” on the list.
What is this buried agenda item? Governor Wolf’s is calling upon the state legislature to legalize recreational marijuana.
Wolf says the proceeds from this monumental move would go to existing small business grant funding, with 50% of the funding earmarked for “historically disadvantaged businesses.”
In addition to helping businesses, Wolf wants to see legislation passed to requiring a portion of the recreational marijuana revenue to go restorative justice programs, which help repair the harm done to crime victims and communities as a result of criminalization of marijuana.
In addition, Governor Wolf is asking the General Assembly to pursue policies that “restore justice for individuals convicted of marijuana-related offenses”.
What else was part of the Governor’s full proposed agenda? The full press release can be read here: