Cannabis Legalization Bill Passes in Pennsylvania House

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On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to pass a bill proposal that would legalize cannabis in the state for adults 21 years old and older (1). The legislation was introduced on May 4, 2025, and advanced from the House Health Committee the next day. The proposal passed 102-101. All republicans voted against the bill, while democrats voted in support of its passing (1). Next steps for the legislation will be for another vote to take place, if it passes again, the bill will advance to the Senate, which holds a Republican majority (2).

The bill called HB 1200 (2), would additionally allow for cannabis sales in state-operated stores which would be regulated by the Liquor Control Board.

Ganjapreneur reported that (1), “Retail sales would be taxed at 12%, and all dispensaries would be operated by the state — however, the industry’s cultivators, processors, transporters, and potential consumption sites could be privately owned, the report said. Home grows would be allowed, but only with an annual $100 home cultivation permit issued by the state Liquor Control Board, which would be tasked with overseeing the industry. The bill also includes THC concentration caps for both cannabis edibles and flower products.”

During the May 5, 2025, hearing, Health Committee member Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa said (1), “It’s no secret that I stand in opposition to broadly legalized adult-use marijuana — but frankly, I’m appalled by the manner in which it’s being rammed through the committee and the legislature.”

Not everyone is in favor of the state-monopoly model listed in HB 1200. “Unlike adult-use regulations adopted in every other legal state, this model requires a state agency and its employees to engage in activities that are in positive conflict with federal marijuana laws,” NORML mentioned in a legislation action alert (2,3). “As a result, adopting this model would arguably make the state (and its employees) vulnerable to litigation and, ultimately, federal preemption.”

Recent polling conducted by Change Research (2,4,5) showed that there is a significant amount of support for cannabis legalization of cannabis in Pennsylvania. According to the poll data (4), 68% of voters in the Keystone State support its legalization. Digging closer into the data, it was supported 85% by Democrats, 62% by Independents, and 53% by Republicans (4,5).

“Support for legalization is consistent across age groups, with younger voters showing the strongest enthusiasm. Among voters aged 18-34, 78% support legalization, while 77% of those aged 35-49 and 75% of those aged 50-64 back the measure. Even among seniors 65 and older, support reaches 69%,” the poll mentioned (4). “Geographic support transcends Pennsylvania's urban-rural divide. Philadelphia City leads with 79% support,
matched by 74% support in Allegheny County. Central Pennsylvania shows solid majority support at 61%.”

“Public support for legalization of adult-use cannabis isn’t partisan and it’s not regional. Our polling has shown that Pennsylvanians statewide are ready for the legislature to act this fall. Other states have safely, seamlessly legalized cannabis and seen enormous fiscal benefits. We’ve seen studies of the financial benefit this state can expect including thousands of new jobs and millions in new revenue. As lawmakers stare down re-election campaigns and a dwindling budget surplus, it has never been a better time to adopt a popular, fiscally responsible program. The General Assembly returns to Harrisburg within days and Pennsylvanians demand legislative action to legalize adult-use cannabis now,” Brittany Crampsie, Responsible PA spokesperson, said (5).

Last year, a study was released that found that Pennsylvania had the opportunity to generate more than $1 billion in taxes over five years if adult-use cannabis was legalized (1,6,7). Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has shown support for cannabis legalization in the state, even including it in his budget proposal in February 2025 which would impose a 20% tax (1,2,6). With HB 1200 awaiting further approval, hopefully it won’t be long until Pennsylvania can add itself to the growing list of states that have legalized adult-use cannabis.

References

1. Abbott, G. Pennsylvania House passes cannabis legalization bill https://www.ganjapreneur.com/pennsylvania-house-passes-cannabis-legalization-bill/ (accessed May 12, 2025).
2. Norml. PA House advances adult-use marijuana sales in state-operated stores Bill https://norml.org/blog/2025/05/08/pennsylvania-house-lawmakers-advance-bill-regulating-adult-use-marijuana-sales-in-state-operated-stores/ (accessed May 12, 2025).
3. Pennsylvania: Just say no to state-run dispensaries https://norml.org/act/pennsylvania-just-say-no-to-state-run-dispensaries/ (accessed May 12, 2025).
4. Thomas, S. Responsiblepa-marijuana-poll-memo https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25540060-responsiblepa-marijuana-poll-memo/ (accessed May 12, 2025).
5. Responsiblepa. Majority of PA voters in five competitive House district support the legalization of Cannabis now https://responsiblepa.org/majority-of-pa-voters-in-five-competitive-house-district-support-the-legalization-of-cannabis-now/#promise (accessed May 12, 2025).
6. Branfalt, T. Study: Pennsylvania could see $1B in tax revenues over 5 years from adult-use cannabis - ganjapreneur https://www.ganjapreneur.com/study-pennsylvania-could-see-1b-in-tax-revenues-over-5-years-from-adult-use-cannabis/ (accessed May 12, 2025).
7. Analysis of Revenue Proposals http://www.ifo.state.pa.us/download.cfm?file=Resources%2FDocuments%2FRevenue_Proposal_Analysis_2024_03.pdf (accessed May 12, 2025).