In his budget address last month, Governor Josh Shapiro called for the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes. The latest Franklin and Marshall College poll found that almost two-thirds of Pennsylvania voters who were surveyed support marijuana for adult use being legal. Support is a trend that has been growing over the past decade. Several Republicans in key positions in the General Assembly have changed their positions and now favor legalization. Twenty-four states have legalized marijuana.

Gov. Shapiro estimated legal weed would generate $250 million for the state once it was up and running.

So, is it just a matter of time that marijuana is legalized in Pennsylvania?

Not so fast.

The federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance.Opponents say it needs more study, law enforcement organizations have mostly opposed legalization and some opponents have pointed out there's been an increase in vehicle crashes in states that have legalized.

Stephen Caruso is the Capitol Reporter for the online non-profit newsroom Spotlight PA and wrote a summary of where Pennsylvania stands on legalization. he talked about it on The Spark Tuesday.

In his budget address last month, Governor Josh Shapiro called for the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes. The latest Franklin and Marshall College poll found that almost two-thirds of Pennsylvania voters who were surveyed support marijuana for adult use being legal. Support is a trend that has been growing over the past decade. Several Republicans in key positions in the General Assembly have changed their positions and now favor legalization. Twenty-four states have legalized marijuana.
Gov. Shapiro estimated legal weed would generate $250 million for the state once it was up and running.
So, is it just a matter of time that marijuana is legalized in Pennsylvania?
Not so fast.
The federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance.Opponents say it needs more study, law enforcement organizations have mostly opposed legalization and some opponents have pointed out there's been an increase in vehicle crashes in states that have legalized.
Stephen Caruso is the Capitol Reporter for the online non-profit newsroom <a href="https://www.spotlightpa.org/">Spotlight PA</a> and <a href="https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2024/02/pennsylvania-marijuana-cannabis-legalization-josh-shapiro-legislature/">wrote a summary of where Pennsylvania stands on legalization</a>. he talked about it on The Spark Tuesday.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from <a href="https://www.witf.org">WITF</a>, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

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