Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is calling for adult-use cannabis legalization to help boost the state’s economy amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to an NPR report.
Wolf says the state could use the tax revenue generated from adult-use cannabis sales to support grants for small businesses and fund restorative justice programs, the news outlet reported, with 50% of funding earmarked for historically disadvantaged businesses.
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman expressed his support for legalization earlier this summer, also indicating that an adult-use cannabis market could help the state’s budget deficit.
Just last month, State Sen. Sharif Street and 14 co-signers issued a letter to Wolf, urging him to consider adult-use cannabis legalization during this year’s budget negotiations.
Still, past efforts to legalize cannabis in the state have been met with opposition from House and Senate leadership, and NPR reported that it is unclear how the Republican-led General Assembly will receive this most recent push.
Already, House Majority Leader Larry Kerry Benninghoff responded to Wolf’s proposal by saying he is putting forward “an unaffordable legislative agenda,” according to NPR.
