(Harrisburg, Pa., May, 7) — Today, an adult-use cannabis legalization bill advanced through the PA House by a vote of 102 to 101, the first time for an adult-use cannabis legalization bill to ever clear a chamber in the Commonwealth.

While ResponsiblePA is supportive of the legislative process continuing and getting a bipartisan legalization proposal to the Governor’s desk, the group calls for the bill to be improved as it goes to the Senate.

Following is a statement from the ResponsiblePA coalition:

“A bill passing out of the House today is an important first step to set the stage for more meaningful, bipartisan discussions — bringing in the Senate and the Governor as part of ongoing budget negotiations. We must fix this bill as we know a majority of Pennsylvanians oppose a state-run cannabis retail model. Voters want a practical solution — not a bill that is going to face legal challenges and cost thousands of jobs for everyday, hardworking Pennsylvanians.”

The bill that cleared the House, HB1200 and sponsored by Health Committee Chair Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Rick Krajewski (D-Philadelphia), is based upon a state-run store model for marijuana sales through oversight of the Liquor Control Board.

A state-run model puts state workers and PA’s Liquor Control Board in direct conflict with federal law by having state workers and agencies involved in the sale of marijuana. It is also largely unpopular with the majority of Pennsylvanians.

BACKGROUND:

Pennsylvanians unequivocally oppose a state-run and operated model.

In addition to violating federal law, the bill as currently written, will result in upwards of 27,000 Pennsylvanians losing good-paying jobs in the existing medical marijuana marketplace. The current medical marijuana infrastructure works and will be ready to support legalization on day one. Under a state-run model, the state will have to build out infrastructure, costing millions on top of legal challenges without even bringing in the proper revenue the state needs.

There’s a more practical approach. Private retail models have been incorporated in every other state as this approach creates more good-paying jobs, offers better product selection, and brings immediate revenue to the state. In other states, this has proven to eliminate illicit activity. Pennsylvania must avoid a botched roll-out like New York, where illegal activity spiked.

Pennsylvanians want a practical solution.

Recent polling released by ResponsiblePA shows the popularity and preference of utilizing Pennsylvania’s successful existing medical marijuana infrastructure, as opposed to a state-run cannabis retail dispensary model. The poll was conducted January 25-30, 2025 among 1,129 registered voters.

When voters were given the option and provided information between utilizing PA’s existing medical marijuana retail infrastructure or selling cannabis through a state-run store system, which is how PA currently sells alcohol, support for a private business model surged to 57%, while selling cannabis through a state-run system remained unpopular at 25% — voter sentiment is shared across party lines.

Read HB1200 here.

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ResponsiblePA is a coalition with the goal to help support the legalization of adult-use cannabis.

With 90 percent of PA’s neighboring states already legalizing cannabis and a robust medical operation in Pennsylvania for nearly a decade – the ResponsiblePA coalition believes now is the time to legalize cannabis. We must create a solid social equity structure in Pennsylvania to be prepared for cannabis legalization.

More on the coalition here.