RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA

DEMOCRATS HAVE routinely introduced legislation to legalize pot in PA, but the state has not puffed, but rather passed on the idea of legalizing recreational marijuana.

But now that two of the state’s neighbors (we see you New York and New Jersey) have legalized it, there appears to be newfound interest in the idea within the state Capitol.

State Sens. Dan Laughlin of Erie and Mike Regan of Cumberland have both backed bills that would legalize getting high. If more get on board, “going green” will have a much bigger meaning in Pennsylvania.

Are Republicans blazing a new trail toward legal weed?

Support for marijuana legalization in Pennsylvania has grown since 2006. (Credit: Franklin & Marshall College Center For Opinion Research)

MARCH 2006: 22% FEBRUARY 2013: 36% MAY 2017: 56% MARCH 2021: 59%

3.4

BILLION

How much in sales the state has generated since the onset of its medical marijuana program.

633,000 The number of patients and caregivers included in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program.

JAN HAVLICEK/SHUTTERSTOCK; SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS By Justin SweitzerPUFF

P ECE BILLION

581 MILLION The estimated annual tax revenue that could be generated by taxing recreational marijuana at roughly 35%, according to a 2018 report. $2 The number of dispensary sales since the program began in 2018.

“I believe that, especially since the states around us are now legalizing it, and our citizens are going to be driving across the border to purchase these products elsewhere,

I think it is rather inevitable. ”