PA House of Representatives Passes Bill to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
In a razor-thin vote, Pennsylvania’s House passes HB 1200, paving the way for adult-use cannabis legalization—but federal law still looms large.
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Editorial Dept.
On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 102-101 to pass the Cannabis Health and Safety Act (HB 1200), which would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over.
HB 1200, sponsored by Rep. Rick Krajewski and House Health Committee Chair Dan Frankel, would charge the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board with running state cannabis stores and licensing private cannabis growers, processors, transporters, on-site consumption lounges, and labs. Possession of small amounts of cannabis would be downgraded to a fine-only summary offense until sales begin (if they begin, which is uncertain given federal law). A summary of HB 1200 is available here.
“There are many provisions in this bill that we commend. It would stop criminalizing people for using cannabis and prevent families from being torn apart and lives being ruined because adults choose to relax with cannabis. However, we have serious concerns about the viability of a state-run stores model due to federal law. No other state operates cannabis businesses this way, and for good reason. State cannabis laws must be carefully crafted to ensure they are workable in the face of federal prohibition,” said Karen O’Keefe, MPP’s director of state policies.
Pennsylvania is one of only 19 states that still imposes jail time for simple possession of cannabis. In 2023, there were at least 11,234 arrests for cannabis possession in the state. Meanwhile, all but one of its neighbors — West Virginia — has legalized adult-use sales, and polling shows that Pennsylvania voters overwhelmingly support legalization.
About the Marijuana Policy Project
Founded in 1995, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization. MPP has played a central role in passing dozens of cannabis policy reforms in states across the country, including 14 successful cannabis legalization campaigns, and also works to advance federal reforms. Visit www.mpp.org for more information.
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