Pennsylvania state Senators Dan Laughlin (Republican) and Sharif Street (Democrat) have jointly introduced Senate Bill 846, a bipartisan measure aimed at legalizing adult-use cannabis in the Keystone state. Laughlin emphasized the need for this legislation due to neighboring states like New Jersey and New York implementing adult-use cannabis laws, thus potentially causing Pennsylvania to miss out on substantial tax revenue and job opportunities.
Key Highlights
-
Protection of Children: The bill specifically prohibits marketing efforts aimed at children, ensuring that promotions and advertising strategies are in no way directed towards minors.
-
Workplace Regulations: To maintain safety and professionalism in the workplace, the proposed legislation outlines necessary requirements concerning marijuana usage.
-
Social and Economic Equity: The bill includes provisions for granting licenses to social and economic equity applicants, prioritizing those who have historically faced barriers to participation in the industry.
-
Expungement of Convictions: Senate Bill 846 considers the expungement of non-violent marijuana convictions for both medical marijuana patients and individuals with past non-violent marijuana offenses.
It is worth noting that the Pure U.S. Cannabis ETF (MSOS, -1.37%) experienced a 1% decrease in value on Thursday.
By introducing Senate Bill 846, Senators Laughlin and Street aim to provide Pennsylvania taxpayers with access to the benefits presented by legalizing adult-use cannabis. They foresee significant tax revenue gains and the creation of numerous job opportunities that could strengthen the state’s economy.
