‘Recreational weed' passes in Pa. House; Dems and GOP split

Yahoo

09-05-2025

State House Democrats voted in favor of a bill that would legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania this week.
On Wednesday, H.B. 1200 was passed by the state House of Representatives. The vote advances the bill to the state Senate.
All 101 Republicans in the House voted against the bill, which would allow Pennsylvanians age 21 and older to legally purchase and use recreational cannabis in the commonwealth.
One-hundred-and-two Democrats argued that five of the six states that border Pennsylvania have legalized recreational cannabis, sending residents to New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware and Ohio to shop for it. They hope Pennsylvania will set up a state-monitored chain of stores for cannabis, similar to how state-sanctioned stores currently sell alcohol.
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Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-113, of Scranton, co-sponsored and voted for legislation aimed to legalize recreational cannabis use and purchase in Pennsylvania. (PA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES / SUBMITTED)
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State Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., supported a bill on Wednesday to move the discussion of legalization of recreational cannabis in Pennsylvania forward. (PA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES / SUBMITTED)
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Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski voted yes to support ongoing conversation for the legalization of recreational cannabis in Pennsylvania, arguing that surrounding states have legalized cannabis, and now it's time for Pennsylvania to consider the potential benefits. (FILE PHOTO)
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Tim Twardzik, R-123, Frackville, voted against H.B. 1200, supporting legalization of recreational cannabis in Pennsylvania. (PA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)
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State Rep. Brenda Pugh is concerned that making recreational cannabis legal for adult use in the Commonwealth could hurt children. (Submitted)
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Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-113, of Scranton, co-sponsored and voted for legislation aimed to legalize recreational cannabis use and purchase in Pennsylvania. (PA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES / SUBMITTED)
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State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, Wilkes-Barre, said sending residents out of state to buy cannabis is costing Pennsylvania in a big way.
'Just like gambling before we got our casinos, Pennsylvania residents took all their money and gave it to New Jersey,' he said. 'They brought in about $6 billion, of which nearly $3 billion comes back to the taxpayer in one form or another.'
Pashinski said taxes on cannabis sales could be used for rehabilitation services, child care, to help senior citizens and more.
'There's a lot of good things that you could use those dollars for,' Pashinski said. 'It's not going away. All the states around us have it. Why should people go out of state?' he asked.
The bill memo, co-sponsored by state Reps. Kyle Donahue, D-113, Scranton, and Maureen Madden D-115, Coolbaugh Twp., says Pennsylvanians are still consuming cannabis, legal or not, and are buying unregulated cannabis and 'hemp loophole products' at gas stations, vape shops or via the 'illicit market.'
State Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-120, of Dallas Twp., said she believes the bill will hurt children, and cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's literature on the damage it can cause.
'For me, it's for our children, it's for the THC that's in marijuana,' she said, explaining why she voted 'no' on the bill 'the way it stands' in its current phase, adding that neighboring states that have legalized are no reason for Pennsylvania to follow suit.
'My dad used to say, 'If so and so jumped off the bridge, would you jump off the bridge? Probably not,' Pugh said. 'I don't feel a child's life or health is worth any amount of money.' Pugh added that Pennsylvania should invest in natural gas versus cannabis.
State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., agrees that children should be considered with the legislation, but accentuated that this bill does not suggest child use by any means.
'This is for adult usage,' Kosierowski said, arguing that without the legislation in place, children are actually at greater risk. 'Right now, they're marketing to children in vape stores,' she said, calling the bill a conversation starter aimed at 'safety, regulation and taxation' in the industry.
'As a health care provider, I understand the concerns that people have about legalizing cannabis,' she said. 'But we have to remember that cannabis is being used now in the commonwealth.'
Kosierowski said the bill will regulate, make safe and tax cannabis, citing that legal cannabis is projected to bring in more than $1.3 billion in revenue over five years, and calling it 'a big move for the commonwealth.'
'The proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis is about catching up with our neighbors, regulating a market that already exists, and reinvesting in Pennsylvania communities,' Kosierowski said.
The bill's memo called cannabis prohibition a 'failed policy,' blaming it for ruining lives over minor cannabis offenses, which disproportionately affect black and brown communities, increased purchases of 'dangerous products,' and a loss of millions in public revenue that communities need. The bill also aims to learn from what sister states have done wrong — namely 'poorly structured cannabis' programs that bring in 'out-of-state corporations.'
State Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-123, Frackville, said it's off-base to think about profits that could come from the legislation.
'The promise of money from this project is absolutely wrong,' Twardzik said, calling it 'blood money' and lamenting that it will cost upwards of $350 million to get the system in place in Pennsylvania. Twardzik further called the legislation 'bad policy' and stated that 'law enforcement were never asked' to weigh in on the bill.
'Absolute solid no,' he said, reflecting his vote on the bill. 'I am heartbroken,' he added, lamenting that the bill will 'normalize' cannabis use and that the proposed fine for underage use isn't a big-enough deterrent.
'From a youth standpoint, they decided it'll be a $25 fine if you buy marijuana in a state store, but that doesn't match liquor in a state store,' he said.
While the bill isn't perfect, it's 'long overdue,' said Donahue, citing issues relating to criminal justice, equity and revenue, among others.
'I voted to move the conversation forward, see what ideas come out of the Senate. So now it's in their hands,' he said. Donahue added that it's important to get the bill as close to right as possible, and consider arguments arising for Democrats and Republicans alike so that it will pass in both houses.
'I wouldn't expect the Senate to pass it as is, but I'm hoping they send something back so, as we move closer to our budget season, we can come to a compromise,' Donahue said.
Gov. Josh Shapiro requested a bill that addressed legal recreational cannabis use in his 2025-2026 budget address.
'Like skill games, there's another issue that's long overdue to regulate and tax — and that is adult-use cannabis,' said Shapiro, adding, 'Letting this business operate in the shadows doesn't make sense.'
June 30 is the deadline for the state budget.
Donahue explained that while there are many dense issues to bear in mind in regard to the legislation, the time to move ahead is now.
'We've been working on this issue for a long time,' Donahue said, adding that representatives had the benefit of information from six health committee hearings and multiple policy hearings in helping them prepare to vote for or against H.B. 1200.
He said that one of his favorite parts of the bill is centered on 'social equity' — making sure that the revenue 'doesn't just go to big corporations.'
'This allows small businesses to get in the game,' Donahue said. 'Pennsylvania agriculture could play a huge part in this industry moving forward, if we set up an infrastructure to help them get in the game.'
He stressed that the program needs to be set up safely and responsibly.