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50 Years in Prison for Marijuana: Incarcerated People Call On Biden To Expunge Cannabis Convictions

More Perfect Union

How The Weldon Project Letter Aims to Hold Biden Accountable on Cannabis Clemency

By Taylor EngleFeb 09, 2022

Taylor Engle

Taylor is a writer and editor based in New York City. She specializes in health and wellness, music, and fashion. In her free time she does yoga and hangs out with her cat.

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When President Joe Biden was running for office, he made a very enticing promise on his campaign trail: that anyone in the U.S. with a cannabis-related offense on their record would have that expunged. Fast forward one year later, and that promise still hasn’t even come close to being realized.

However, this expungement issue doesn’t begin and end with Biden. Most states with some form of legal cannabis have rolled out legislation that includes the need for industry equity and expungement, yet many people still have those offenses living on their records – and some are even still incarcerated for cannabis-related crimes.

As a result, much of the industry has taken matters into their own hands, advocating for equity programs, spreading the word about the need for expungement, and pushing legislators to follow through on their promises.

The Weldon Project Demands Cannabis Clemency Now

While advocates throughout the industry – like the Last Prisoner Project and Supernova Women – have been on the frontlines of the fight for equity and expungement in cannabis, the industry will have to include leaders from other fields in order to present a well-rounded and thorough appeal.

Enter The Weldon Project letter, which included signatures from NBA star Al Harrington, Killer Mike, Meek Mill, Drake, Mike Tyson, Lil Baby, and over 150 artists, athletes, law enforcement, business leaders, elected and appointed government officials, and leading cannabis advocates.

The petition, which was delivered to President Biden on September 14, 2021, urges the president to follow through on his promise and grant a general pardon to anyone in the country who has been convicted of a federal cannabis offense.

“Enough is enough. No one should be locked up in federal prison for marijuana,” the letter reads. “No one should continue to bear the scarlet letter of a federal conviction for marijuana offenses.”

In a growing industry where everyone is trying to get in on the ground floor, leaving the formerly (and currently) incarcerated by the wayside is completely immoral.

A lying politician is hardly news, but this is a promise that Biden must follow through with in order to establish the legal industry with a clear conscience for everyone involved.

Advocates from the inside have been shouting at the top of their lungs about this issue for years, to no avail. Hopefully the involvement and support of experts from an array of leading American industries will help the federal government realize what a pressing issue this is, and how many people are refusing to look away until it is fully resolved.

Sign the cannabis clemency petition here.

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Diverse mix of people sitting outdoors, around a table smiling at camera

Hall of Flowers 2025: Why This Santa Rosa Showcase Remains a Standard Bearer for Cannabis Trade Shows

Press photo provided by Hall of Flowers

Hall of Flowers 2025: Cannabis Trade Show Leader

The cannabis industry has no shortage of events, but very few manage to balance business, culture, and community the way Hall of Flowers does. Since its launch in 2018, the Santa Rosa-based show has become a must-attend gathering for licensed brands, retailers, investors, and innovators.

This year’s edition takes place September 10–11, 2025, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, continuing a legacy that goes far beyond trade show floor traffic. Hall of Flowers has become a barometer for where cannabis is now and where it's heading—and how brands and buyers can stay ahead of the curve.

Mixed crowd walking around at outdoor conference or festival Scenes from Hall of FlowersPress photo provided by Hall of Flowers

A Curated Approach That Stands the Test of Time

Unlike many trade expos where volume trumps value, Hall of Flowers has remained highly curated. Exhibitors are vetted, attendees are qualified, and the result is a show that feels purposeful, not chaotic.

That focus has allowed the event to grow steadily while maintaining its reputation as a serious B2B marketplace. For many retailers and buyers in the California market, Hall of Flowers isn’t just another industry meet-up—it’s where real deals are made.

What sets Hall of Flowers apart is its commitment to making cannabis culture a central part of the experience:

Consumption lounges and sampling protocols that are compliant but still engaging.
Music, art, and culinary programming that elevate the atmosphere beyond booths and badges.
A sense of authenticity that reminds attendees why they’re in this space in the first place.

It’s this fusion of culture with commerce that ensures Hall of Flowers never feels like a sterile convention hall. Instead, it feels like a living snapshot of the cannabis movement, evolving in real time.

Overhead shot of Hall of Flowers conference - showing booths, vendors and attendees Scenes from Hall of FlowersPress photo provided by Hall of Flowers

Adapting to Industry Shifts

The cannabis landscape is constantly changing—tight regulations, shifting consumer demand, and new technologies keep everyone on their toes. Hall of Flowers has responded by:

Introducing new platforms like AXIS Club (exclusive networking for executives and buyers) and BLUEPRINT (a showcase for emerging technologies, packaging, and solutions).
Expanding to include festival-style elements, like live music and food, that connect brands more directly with consumers.
Offering compliance-friendly sampling systems that allow buyers to evaluate products responsibly.

By evolving with the market, the event has avoided the stagnation that plagues so many conferences.

West Coast Roots, National Relevance

While Hall of Flowers is deeply tied to California—the birthplace of modern cannabis culture—its influence is national. In fact, next month, New York will host it's first Hall of Flowers October 8 & 9. For comparison, New York’s long-standing Revelry Buyers Club carries a similar ethos: connecting licensed operators, retailers, and brands in a curated environment that prioritizes quality relationships over hype. Revelry will be hosting its latest Revelry Festival event on Friday and Saturday September 12 & 13 at Pier 36.

Together, events like Hall of Flowers and Revelry Buyers Club represent a shift toward smarter, community-driven trade experiences that support the legal market and elevate the cannabis industry’s credibility while lifting-up the entire cannabis community.

Two people talking at industry conference Respect My Region's Joey Brabo talking to an exhibitor at Hall of FlowersPress photo provided by Hall of Flowers

Why It Still Matters in 2025

For brands, Hall of Flowers is about visibility in front of the right buyers. For retailers, it’s about finding standout products in an increasingly crowded space. And for the industry as a whole, it’s about building an ecosystem where commerce, culture, and compliance can coexist.

Seven years in, Hall of Flowers remains more than just a trade show. It’s a statement: that cannabis deserves events as sophisticated and dynamic as the plant itself.

America’s Seniors Are Sparking Up: What New Cannabis Data Reveals About Aging, Wellness, and Cultural Shifts

America’s Seniors Are Sparking Up: What New Cannabis Data Reveals About Aging, Wellness, and Cultural Shifts

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Aging & Wellness: Cannabis Insights

A groundbreaking study reveals a sharp rise in cannabis use among older Americans, signaling a cultural shift in how seniors approach pain management, wellness, and aging—while exposing critical gaps in healthcare education and policy.

As cannabis becomes increasingly mainstream, one demographic is quietly but significantly driving the trend: seniors. A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that cannabis use among adults aged 65 and older has surged in recent years, revealing both shifting attitudes and emerging wellness strategies among older Americans.

This trend marks a profound cultural pivot—one that disrupts outdated stereotypes about cannabis consumers and raises important questions about healthcare, policy, and the future of aging in America.

Cannabis Use Among Seniors Has Tripled in the Last Decade

According to the research led by Dr. Benjamin Han of UC San Diego and NYU, data from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reveals a dramatic increase in cannabis use among seniors. In fact, the percentage of adults 65 and older who reported using cannabis in the past month more than tripled from just 0.4% in 2006 to 1.4% in 2014—and it’s continued to grow since.

While the absolute numbers may appear small, they represent millions of older adults exploring cannabis as a tool for pain relief, sleep support, anxiety management, and other age-related health conditions.

New report says seniors two times more likely to use cannabis than they were in 2015 Sven Mieke/Unsplash

Why Are More Seniors Using Cannabis?

There’s no single reason seniors are turning to cannabis—it’s a convergence of cultural, medical, and generational factors:

Chronic Pain and Insomnia: Many older adults suffer from conditions like arthritis, neuropathy, or insomnia. Prescription medications, especially opioids or sedatives, carry high risks of dependency and dangerous side effects. Cannabis offers a potentially safer, plant-based alternative.
Reduced Stigma: Seniors today were young adults during the 1960s and ‘70s—a time when cannabis was both vilified and romanticized. As public opinion has softened and more states have legalized its use, older adults are feeling more comfortable experimenting or returning to it.
Wellness-Oriented Mindset: The rise of CBD, functional wellness, and alternative medicine has introduced cannabis to health-conscious seniors who might never have considered it otherwise.
Medical Guidance (Or Lack Thereof): Many older users are self-medicating without a physician's input, often due to a lack of formal guidance from the medical establishment. This gap underscores the need for education and communication between healthcare providers and older patients.

A Closer Look at the Study’s Findings

The JAMA study offers nuanced insights into who among older adults is more likely to use cannabis:

Men used cannabis more frequently than women.
Higher rates were observed among those married or living with a partner.
Cannabis use was more common in those with higher education levels and income brackets.
Non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic Black adults reported higher use than other racial/ethnic groups.
Those reporting poor or fair health were more likely to use cannabis than those in excellent health.

These patterns challenge simplistic assumptions and suggest that cannabis is being used across a broad cross-section of the senior population for both medical and recreational purposes.

Health Risks and Considerations for Older Cannabis Users

While cannabis may offer meaningful relief for some conditions, it’s not without potential downsides—especially for older adults:

Drug Interactions: Seniors are often on multiple medications. Cannabis can interact with blood thinners, heart medications, and sedatives, increasing the risk of adverse effects.
Cognitive Effects: THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, can impair short-term memory and coordination. For older adults, this can increase the risk of falls or confusion.
Inconsistent Dosing and Labeling: Not all cannabis products are created equal. Without standardized dosing or consistent labeling, seniors may consume more THC than intended.

Despite these risks, the study emphasizes that many seniors are turning to cannabis for legitimate health reasons and that more clinical research is needed to fully understand its benefits and drawbacks in older populations.

What This Means for Healthcare and Policy

As cannabis use rises among seniors, the medical system must catch up. Doctors, nurses, and caregivers need training on how to talk to older patients about cannabis use—including safe consumption methods, drug interactions, and harm reduction practices.

At the policy level, this shift also calls for:

Expanded medical cannabis programs that include geriatric-specific formulations and access protocols.
Insurance reform to cover cannabis consultations and approved treatments.
Ongoing research to guide evidence-based recommendations for cannabis in older populations.

The Takeaway: Aging with Agency and Options

The rise in cannabis use among older Americans is more than just a trend—it’s a statement. Seniors are reclaiming control over their health and wellness, turning to cannabis not out of rebellion but as a thoughtful choice rooted in relief, empowerment, and quality of life.

It’s time for the healthcare industry, cannabis operators, and policymakers to recognize that aging populations are not just willing to explore cannabis—they’re demanding it.

Animated GIF of wallet with money; with wife taking the wallet after spouse tries to hand denomination

Legal Cannabis Markets Hit Historic $25 Billion Tax Revenue Milestone

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Legal Cannabis Hits $25B Tax Milestone!

While 2024 set a new annual record of $4.4 billion in state cannabis taxes, California's decision to raise rates from 15% to 19% exposes the death spiral threatening legal markets nationwide

Legal cannabis markets have generated more than $24.7 billion in cumulative state tax revenue since 2014, with 2024 setting a record $4.4 billion — but California's proposed July 2025 tax hike from 15% to 19% reveals a fundamental contradiction in cannabis policy that could undermine the entire legal industry's future.

The unprecedented tax milestone represents both triumph and warning. While celebrating revenue success, industry experts warn that aggressive taxation is creating a vicious cycle that drives consumers back to illicit markets and threatens the sustainability of legalization itself.

The California Contradiction: Success Masking Systemic Failure

California leads all states with over $1 billion in cannabis tax revenue for 2024, but this apparent success masks a deeper crisis. On July 1, 2025, the state's cannabis excise tax was scheduled to rise from 15% to 19% — a staggering 26% increase mandated by a 2022 law that automatically raises rates when tax revenues decline. However, just this week, the California Assembly delivered a stunning 74-0 vote to save legal cannabis market from "Extinction Level Event." Unanimous bipartisan support for AB 564 delays the catastrophic 26% tax hike until 2030, but industry isn't out of the woods yet. The Senate vote to enact the bill will be the next crucial test of whether California is serious about saving its cannabis industry — or content to watch it collapse under the weight of its own contradictions.

All of this combined creates what industry experts call a "death spiral": when legal sales drop due to high taxes competing with illicit markets, the state responds by raising taxes further, making legal products even less competitive.

"More businesses will close sooner as the legal price is just too far away from illegally obtained products," warns Jerred Kiloh, president of the United Cannabis Business Association. "Less investment in starting or continuing cannabis operations will occur, and demand for cannabis licenses will decline exponentially."

Since January 2018, California has generated more than $6.7 billion in total cannabis tax revenue, but thousands of licensed businesses have shuttered due to what industry leaders describe as a toxic mix of overregulation, inconsistent enforcement, and sky-high operational costs that make competing with untaxed illicit markets nearly impossible.

image of California traffic road sign that says - END - at edge of cliff overlooking Pacific Ocean California’s Cannabis Tax Hike Is a Death Blow to the Legal Market Photo by Patrick Perkins on Unsplash

The Illicit Market Reality Behind the Revenue Numbers

The $25 billion in legal tax revenue tells only part of the story. State-funded research indicates that illicit markets continue to supply the majority of cannabis consumers in California despite years of legalization — a pattern emerging across multiple states with high tax rates.

Amy O'Gorman Jenkins of the California Cannabis Operators Association put it starkly: "We're urging the Legislature and Administration to act quickly and freeze the tax at 15%. If we want a regulated market to survive in California, the time to intervene is now."

The fundamental equation is simple but devastating: High taxes = higher prices = lower legal demand = more illicit activity = less tax revenue. This cycle not only undermines tax collection goals but defeats the primary public safety and consumer protection objectives of legalization.

States Walking the Tightrope: Revenue vs. Market Viability

Other leading cannabis states demonstrate the delicate balance required for sustainable tax policy. Illinois generated $578 million in 2024 tax revenue with a more moderate approach, while Michigan ($524 million) and Washington ($516 million) have maintained steady growth without the dramatic rate increases that are crushing California's market.

The contrast is stark: while these states show consistent growth in both revenue and market health, California's aggressive taxation is creating what industry leaders call "a slow-motion abandonment of legalization's promise."

States like New York and Massachusetts face similar challenges, burdening cannabis with heavy taxes and rigid regulations while wondering why legal sales lag behind projections and illicit markets remain robust.

Cannabis Tax Revenue Powers State Programs — When Markets Survive

Where sustainable tax policies exist, cannabis revenue has transformed state budgets. Legal cannabis taxes have funded Medicaid, education, school construction, housing, roads, early literacy, bullying prevention, behavioral health, alcohol and drug treatment, veterans' services, conservation, job training, conviction expungement expenses, and reinvestment in communities disproportionately affected by prohibition.

California's 15% excise tax supports programs for childcare and early childhood development, medical research, youth substance abuse prevention, and environmental recovery. However, these benefits become meaningless if overtaxation destroys the legal market generating the revenue.

Industry Employment Reflects Market Stress

The cannabis workforce data reveals the strain of current policies. While the industry supports 425,002 full-time equivalent jobs nationwide, employment dropped 3.4% in 2024 even as sales grew to $30.1 billion.

"The cannabis industry has shifted from a phase of hyper-growth to one of operational discipline," said Karson Humiston, Founder & CEO of Vangst. This "operational discipline" often means businesses consolidating, closing, or moving operations to more tax-friendly jurisdictions.

The employment decline reflects more than market maturation — it signals an industry under severe regulatory and tax pressure that's forcing efficiency through elimination rather than growth through opportunity.

The Federal 280E Problem Amplifies State Tax Damage

The tax burden becomes even more crushing when combined with federal restrictions. Cannabis companies cannot deduct normal business expenses under federal tax code Section 280E, creating effective tax rates that can exceed 70% in high-tax states like California.

This federal-state tax combination creates what industry experts describe as "fundamentally dishonest governance" — leaders claim to support thriving legal cannabis industries while enacting policies that make success virtually impossible.

A Growing Problem Threatening National Legalization Goals

Twenty-four states have legalized adult-use cannabis, but California's experience serves as a cautionary tale for emerging markets. States like Ohio and New York, despite showing growth, risk repeating California's mistakes if they prioritize short-term tax revenue over long-term market sustainability.

The lesson is clear: sustainable cannabis markets require tax policies that allow legal businesses to compete with illicit alternatives. Otherwise, legalization becomes an expensive failure that generates modest tax revenue while maintaining robust criminal markets.

Policy Solutions: Learning from Success and Failure

Successful cannabis markets share common characteristics: moderate tax rates, streamlined regulations, consistent enforcement against illicit operators, and policies that prioritize market development over revenue extraction.

Assembly member Matt Haney's bill to block California's tax hike passed its first committee vote unanimously, showing bipartisan recognition that the current path is unsustainable. However, with the increase already implemented, California faces a critical test of whether political leaders will prioritize long-term industry health over short-term revenue needs.

The Real Test: Sustainable Growth vs. Short-Term Revenue Grabs

The $25 billion tax revenue milestone should be celebrated — but with crucial caveats. This revenue represents the potential of well-regulated cannabis markets, not validation of any specific tax policy approach.

California's experience proves that treating cannabis as a limitless cash cow while ignoring market dynamics leads to industry collapse. The question for other states is whether they'll learn from this cautionary tale or repeat the same mistakes.

Nationwide legalization could generate $8.5 billion annually for all states, according to tax policy researchers, but only if states adopt sustainable policies that allow legal markets to thrive rather than merely survive.

Looking Ahead: Promise vs. Reality

The cannabis industry's evolution from rapid expansion to what experts call "operational discipline" reflects both market maturation and policy-induced stress. The $25 billion milestone demonstrates cannabis taxation's potential — but California's crisis reveals how quickly success can turn to failure with misguided policy.

For policymakers, the lesson is urgent: cannabis tax policy must balance revenue generation with market viability. Success means building sustainable industries that generate consistent, long-term tax revenue while achieving legalization's broader goals of consumer safety, criminal justice reform, and economic opportunity.

The $25 billion represents not just past achievement, but a foundation that could either support continued growth or serve as a peak before policy-induced collapse. The choice belongs to lawmakers willing to learn from both success stories and cautionary tales.

Analysis based on data from the Marijuana Policy Project, NORML, Vangst Staffing, Whitney Economics, and industry reporting on California's tax policy impacts.

image of California traffic road sign that says - END - at edge of cliff overlooking Pacific Ocean

California’s Cannabis Tax Hike Is a Death Blow to the Legal Market

Photo by Patrick Perkins on Unsplash

Death Blow: CA's Cannabis Tax

The Golden State just made it harder for cannabis businesses to survive — again. Here’s why this 26% tax hike is a gift to the illicit market.

California, the birthplace of modern cannabis culture and the largest legal weed market in the world, just pushed its struggling legal industry even closer to collapse.

On July 1, 2025, the state’s cannabis excise tax will rise from 15% to 19% — a staggering 26% increase — marking the maximum rate allowed under current state law. This decision, mandated by a revenue trigger in a 2022 law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, reflects the grim reality: California’s legal cannabis industry is in free fall.

And this tax hike? It’s gasoline on the fire.

A Vicious Cycle: Why Higher Taxes Make a Bad Situation Worse

The justification for this increase is baked into state legislation. If cannabis tax revenues drop — as they have — the state must raise rates. On paper, that might sound like good fiscal policy. In practice, it’s a death spiral.

Cannabis sales are down not because demand has disappeared, but because California’s legal businesses can’t compete with the thriving illicit market — a market that pays no taxes, follows no regulations, and continues to supply the majority of consumers, according to recent state-funded research.

Higher taxes will only widen the price gap between legal and illegal products, driving even more consumers underground and pushing more licensed operators out of business.

historical image of store window that says - "pay your taxes now, here!" California’s Cannabis Tax Hike Is a Death Blow to the Legal Market - The Bluntness Photo by The New York Public Library on Unsplash

Industry Voices: “The Legal Price Is Just Too Far Away”

Jerred Kiloh, president of the United Cannabis Business Association, put it bluntly:

“More businesses will close sooner as the legal price is just too far away from illegally obtained products. Less investment in starting or continuing cannabis operations will occur, and demand for cannabis licenses will decline exponentially.”

He’s not exaggerating. Thousands of cannabis businesses have already shuttered due to a toxic mix of overregulation, inconsistent enforcement, and sky-high operational costs. Operators who stuck it out through the tough years were holding on for reforms — not a tax hike.

Amy O’Gorman Jenkins of the California Cannabis Operators Association echoed the warning:

“We’re urging the Legislature and Administration to act quickly and freeze the tax at 15%. If we want a regulated market to survive in California, the time to intervene is now.”

A Growing Problem Across the U.S.

California is not alone in this mistake. States like New York and Massachusetts are also burdening cannabis with heavy taxes and rigid regulations — all while wondering why legal sales lag behind projections and the illicit market remains robust.

It’s a simple equation:
High taxes = higher prices = lower legal demand = more illicit activity = less tax revenue.

Rinse, repeat, collapse.

Opinion: Stop Treating Cannabis Like a Cash Cow

What we’re seeing isn’t just bad policy — it’s fundamentally dishonest governance. Leaders claim to support a thriving legal cannabis industry, yet enact policies that make that goal virtually impossible.

By continually using cannabis as a fiscal crutch — without fixing rescheduling, regulations, licensing delays, enforcement disparities, 280E, or equitable access to capital — states like California are ensuring that only the biggest, most well-funded players can survive. And even they’re struggling.

Let’s call it what it is: a slow-motion abandonment of legalization’s promise.

What’s Next?

There is a glimmer of hope. Assembly member Matt Haney introduced a bill to block the tax hike, which passed its first committee vote unanimously on April 24. But with just weeks left before the increase takes effect, the clock is ticking.

The question is: Will California finally listen to its operators, workers, and consumers? Or will it double down on a broken system — and let the world’s largest legal cannabis market become a cautionary tale?

Image of Pennsylvania State Capitol plaque in front of the PA State Capitol.

PA House Pushes Forward with State-Operated Marijuana Stores

Photo by Katherine McAdoo on Unsplash

PA Proposes State Cannabis Stores

House Democrats fast-track controversial cannabis bill as state weighs unprecedented regulatory model — but GOP-controlled Senate remains a major hurdle.

Pennsylvania just lit a match under its long-simmering marijuana legalization debate — and this time, it could go up in smoke or spark something entirely new.

On Tuesday, in a razor-thin 102-101 vote, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives advanced House Bill 1200, a cannabis legalization proposal with a twist: sales would flow through state-run stores, mimicking the Commonwealth’s alcohol distribution system. If passed, Pennsylvania would become the first state in the U.S. to fully legalize marijuana and control its retail sales through a government-run operation.

The bill, championed by Democratic Reps. Rick Krajewski and Dan Frankel, rocketed through committee and floor votes in less than 72 hours — a pace that has Republicans crying foul and Democrats defending years of stakeholder engagement.

“This has been a transparent process,” said Frankel, who chairs the House Health Committee. “My door has been open for two years. We’ve held six hearings. The GOP knew this was coming.”

Still, Republicans aren’t buying it. “It’s being rammed through,” charged Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa, one of several GOP lawmakers voicing concerns over workplace safety, impaired driving, and the state’s potential overreach.

A Bold — and Controversial — Model

What makes HB 1200 a national outlier isn’t just its swift advancement — it’s the regulatory vision it puts forward.

Rather than opening the floodgates to private cannabis entrepreneurs, the bill would put the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB) in charge of both licensing and operating cannabis stores. LCB would also oversee cultivation, processing, transportation, and consumption lounges — many of which could still be privately owned.

Adults 21 and over could legally purchase up to 42.5 grams of cannabis per day from LCB stores. Possession of small amounts beyond that would be decriminalized, while home growers could cultivate up to four plants (two mature, two immature) with a $100 permit.

Taxes would include a 12% excise rate on retail sales, with revenue feeding into a Cannabis Revenue Fund. That fund would support everything from expungement efforts and addiction services to minority business development and local court systems.

But it’s the state-store concept that’s drawing fire — not just from Republicans, but even some Democrats and the public.

A recent poll showed most Pennsylvanians prefer a private business model for cannabis sales. Rep. Abby Major (R), who is drafting an alternative bill alongside Democrat Emily Kinkead, stated bluntly: “There are zero votes for a state-store model in the Republican caucus.”

Progress or Power Play?

Despite the internal divisions, House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D) insists her party is ready to legalize. But with Republicans controlling the Senate, any cannabis bill — especially one this sweeping — will require bipartisan cooperation.

Even among legalization supporters, questions remain. Does a state-run retail model maximize equity and efficiency? Will it stifle entrepreneurship in favor of bureaucratic control? Or could it offer the kind of standardized safety and oversight that other states have struggled to achieve?

Meanwhile, advocates like Karen O’Keefe from the Marijuana Policy Project see a long-overdue opportunity: “It is past time for Pennsylvania to catch up with its neighbors and allow adults to relax with cannabis,” she told Marijuana Moment.

Cannabis Legalization Models: Pennsylvania vs. Neighboring States

Pennsylvania's proposed model, emphasizing state-run retail operations, distinguishes it from neighboring states that have adopted privatized systems. While this approach aims to centralize control and potentially streamline regulation, it faces criticism for potentially stifling private enterprise and raising concerns about federal compliance. In contrast, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland have embraced private-sector models, focusing on social equity and community reinvestment, though each faces unique challenges in implementation and market development.

Feature	Pennsylvania (Proposed)	New York	New Jersey	Maryland
Retail Model	State-run stores operated by the Liquor Control Board	Privately owned dispensaries with state-issued licenses	Privately owned dispensaries with state-issued licenses	Privately owned dispensaries with state-issued licenses
Possession Limit	Up to 42.5 grams per day	Up to 3 ounces (approx. 85 grams)	Up to 6 ounces (approx. 170 grams)	Up to 1.5 ounces (approx. 42.5 grams)
Home Cultivation	Up to 2 mature and 2 immature plants with a $100 annual permit	Up to 6 plants per household	Not permitted	Up to 2 plants per household
THC Limits	Flower: max 25% THC; Edibles: 5mg per serving, 25mg total	No specific THC limits	No specific THC limits	No specific THC limits
Taxation	12% excise tax; additional 3% local tax for on-site consumption lounges	13% combined state and local tax	6.625% state sales tax; up to 2% local tax; additional excise fees	9% state sales tax; additional local taxes permitted
Social Equity Programs	Loan and grant programs for applicants with income below 200% of area median income and justice-impacted individuals	Prioritization for individuals with past cannabis convictions and those from disproportionately impacted communities	Prioritization for individuals from economically disadvantaged areas or with past cannabis convictions	75% of licenses awarded to minority-owned businesses; strict advertising and packaging regulations to protect youth
Public Consumption	Prohibited; fines ranging from $100 to $200	Prohibited in public places	Prohibited in public places	Prohibited in public places
Employment Protections	Off-the-job use protected; exceptions for federally contracted workers and explicit company prohibitions	Off-the-job use protected; exceptions for safety-sensitive positions	Off-the-job use protected; exceptions for safety-sensitive positions	Off-the-job use protected; exceptions for safety-sensitive positions
Implementation Status	Passed House; pending Senate approval	Legalized; implementation ongoing with challenges in licensing and enforcement	Legalized; implementation ongoing with over 100 legal stores operating	Legalized; implementation ongoing with focus on minority-owned businesses and public health education

What’s Actually in the Bill?

Here are some of the key provisions of HB 1200:

Retail and Licensing: Cannabis would be sold exclusively through state-operated stores. The LCB would license 50 cultivators, processors, and transporters, plus micro-licensees.
Possession & Use: Adults could purchase up to 42.5 grams daily. Possession beyond that (up to 3x the limit) would be decriminalized.
THC Limits: Flower capped at 25% THC; edibles limited to 5mg per serving, 25mg total.
Social Equity: A new loan and grant program for equity applicants, defined by income, community impact, and justice system involvement.
Tax Revenue Allocation: 50% to community reinvestment, 10% to treatment, 5% to cannabis business development, 2.5% to minority biz support, 2% to court expungement programs.
Employment Protections: Off-the-clock cannabis use can’t be penalized (with some exceptions).
Home Grow: Limited to four plants with permit.
Public Consumption: Still banned; fines range from $100–$200.

The Road Ahead

While HB 1200's advancement is historic, it’s far from law. Senate Republicans remain cold on legalization altogether, let alone a state-controlled model. Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman recently said there’s “no consensus” among the four legislative caucuses or with the governor’s office.

Still, Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro has repeatedly called for legalization — though he hasn’t endorsed the state-store concept. In March, he bluntly stated: “Pennsylvanians are driving to other states and paying their taxes.”

It’s a sentiment echoed across the political spectrum. Even some Republican lawmakers admit that prohibition has been a “disaster.” But whether they’re ready to get behind this particular vision remains to be seen.

With neighboring states like New York, New Jersey, and Maryland already enjoying adult-use cannabis markets, Pennsylvania risks being left behind — again. Whether it embraces a public-sector model or a more traditional privatized framework, one thing is clear: legalization is no longer a matter of “if,” but “how.”

—

This article includes reporting and original source material from Marijuana Moment and journalist Kyle Jaeger.

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