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The legalization of the recreational consumption of marijuana took a big step forward in Pennsylvania this week, while the State House adopted a bill of 173 pages to allow the use of the drug. But while the question goes from if, For how legalization will occur, the reform could still burn itself.
Sponsored by Rick Krajewski of Philadelphia, and co -packed by his colleague Democrat Dan Frankel of Pittsburgh, the measure would be controlled by the alcohol control committee of the sales of the product, offering it through a system of stores such as its network of alcohol stores.
The bill, HB 1200passed the house on Wednesday along the games, 102-101.
It is time to “put a permanent end of the criminalization of cannabis, to protect public health and to ensure that the Pennsylvanians and local businesses benefit from it,” said Frankel on the floor of the room. The bill would also erase the files of people previously recognized guilty of possession and non -violent crimes – an effort to ensure that the persons punished under the old legal regime do not allow themselves to be left in the news.
But an improbable coalition appeared to oppose the bill, including conservative Republicans who oppose any form of legalization and groups in the cannabis industry that have favored it for a long time.
Indeed, the debate goes from “should we allow the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes?” “Who will be authorized to sell marijuana for recreational purposes?” And many get on the answer.
The Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition represents the dozens of dispensaries already authorized to sell marijuana throughout the state for medical purposes. In a statement on Wednesday, the coalition warned that “the exclusion of the current industry of a future market for adults is likely to delay safe access, weaken consumers’ confidence and involuntarily supporting the illegal market”.
Some legislators also oppose the model of state stores.
The Republican Dan Laughlin of Erie and Democrat Sharif Street in Philadelphia – who has teamed up to propose a bill for legalization supported by the cannabis industry – said so much affirmations After the vote. Laughlin said it frankly, saying that there was “zero luck that the model of the state store will pass through the Senate. »»
And with cannabis always considered A drug drug I By the federal government, some Republicans have expressed doubts about the consequences if state workers violated federal law.
The state representative, Abby Major (R -Armstrong / Westmoreland), said that the state could simply extend the existing dispensary system, but that we “choose to start from scratch (and) to say:` `Sorry, we have stopped and continued for 100 years to sell cannabis, but it will take it from here. ” ”.
In addition, she declared to the state of the state on Wednesday, to manage the task of state workers could compromise “state access to federal funding”.
“I call bullshit on this subject … because the state takes money on the system (medical marijuana) now,” said Wendell Young IV, president of the state workers’ union and state workers, which represents employees of state alcohol stores. His union would also include workers in cannabis stores managed by the state, he said.
“People working in the (medical marijuana) system pay taxes,” Young told Wesa. “If it’s illegal to do so, then there are already a lot of people in difficulty.”
Young said that in the future, the debate “should not concern what is best than for cannabis companies. It should first be on what is best for the Pennsylvanians.”
An LCB -focused system would not be bad for members of his union, an important player in Harrisburg. Its impact on other sectors of the company is less clear.
Defenders of legalization told Wesa that they wanted to ensure that communities suffering under the old rules could
“Give people who have been in full to full access to all levels,” said Kristal Bush, reform director of the reform group, Free Myedman. “What if the state should really take over, when this would leave these employees (medical marijuana dispensary)?”
Krajewski said that basic companies could also be exhausted on a free market – this time by major business players.
“In Pennsylvania, 10 companies outside the state with a combined assessment of more than $ 6 billion in control more than 70% of our current medical dispensaries,” he said at a press conference after the vote. “(W) with appropriate controls in place, we risk transforming Pennsylvania into the new playground for corporate cannabis.”
The debate on RIGHT The way to legalize marijuana is also cultivated in the county of Algheny. Frankel and his Crosstown colleague, Emily Kinkead, presented rival bills in this session and previous legislative sessions.
Kinkead says that she would have “serious concerns … If the people closest to the pain of the war on drugs are not closest to the advantages of ultimate legalization.”
Frankel’s bill includes certain social justice provisions. It allocates 2.5% of income to companies belonging to minorities, for example, and would create licenses for smokers. (Critics fear that the disappearance for such a license can be difficult or costly, as for bars and restaurants looking for alcohol permits.)
Frankel’s approach attracted support. The Pennsylvania Medical Society, which does not support legalization, still argued HB1200 because it gives the State “the power to regulate global (the cannabis industry, to guarantee responsible use and minimize societal damage”.
Kinkead voted in favor of HB1200, although she told Wesa that she hoped that the Senate adjusts it.
She and Major work on their own bipartisan Legalization proposalAlthough it has not yet been introduced. And if the Senate does not act on Frankel’s bill, Kinkead said: “So there may be a stronger argument to try again … with a different language.”
Michael Reid, another defender of legalization, said that after talking to the Republican and Democrats senators, it is optimistic that they can work with what the Chamber has sent.
“Some people could want her to come out of the house by resembling a Cadillac – it would probably be more like a Honda Civic,” said Reid. “But the vehicle is on the road, which is exciting.”