Posted: | February 16, 2023 01:54 PM |
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From: | Representative Melissa L. Shusterman and Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Small Scale Adult-Use Cannabis Cultivation for Local Farmers |
As more and more states legalize adult-use cannabis, it is only a matter of time before Pennsylvania does the same. Our medical cannabis program has paved great lengths to allow residents access to natural medicines to treat their ailments. However, qualifying for a medical cannabis card is difficult and the costs of obtaining can be a burden. All Pennsylvanians would greatly benefit from having access to adult-use cannabis, regardless of medical need. When adult-use cannabis is finally legalized in Pennsylvania, it is my belief that everyone should have accessible and equitable entry into the adult-use cannabis industry, including farmers and small enterprises. Therefore, my legislation will establish a permit for farmers and other small agricultural ventures to grow and sell adult-use cannabis to existing grower/processors on a limited basis. This bill would go into effect upon the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania. Enabling local cultivation would allow Pennsylvania farmers and their communities to benefit from the legalization of adult-use cannabis. Moreover, this legislation would enable participation in the industry by women growers and growers from marginalized communities. Please join me in this effort to promote the economic wellbeing of local farmers and communities throughout Pennsylvania. |
Introduced as HB1082