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A top Senate GOP leader suggested he may be willing to consider legalizing recreational marijuana, especially as Pennsylvania spending is projected to exceed revenue in the next fiscal year.
Legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania has for years seemed like a far-fetched idea that gained little traction in Harrisburg.
But, after Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro included it in his ambitious $48.3 billion budget proposal this week, state Republican leaders acknowledged how much revenue the state is missing out on by failing to legalize cannabis — and national moves to reschedule the drug could soon come to fruition.
All neighboring states except West Virginia have legalized cannabis. As a result, Shapiro said during Tuesday’s budget address, Pennsylvania is falling behind, and losing out on an industry that could bring in more than $250 million in annual revenue.
“Let’s stop hamstringing ourselves and start competing,” Shapiro said.
While legalizing the drug is a Democratic priority, Republicans control the state Senate and have historically opposed the move. But on Tuesday, GOP leaders suggested they may be willing to consider the proposal ― especially as the state’s spending is projected to exceed revenue in the next fiscal year.
“We also need to understand where the governor is coming from,” said Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana). [Read More @ The Philadelphia Inquirer]
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