An Allegheny County state legislator is planning on introducing legislation to legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania.
“States from coast to coast have embraced legalization and those states are reaping the economic and criminal justice benefits,” said state Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-19, Pittsburgh, in a statement released Wednesday. “It is time Pennsylvania joins with those states in leaving behind the ugly stigma of marijuana.”
Wheatley cited a report released last week by state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale that estimated Pennsylvania could receive $581 million in annual tax revenue from legal marijuana for adults. Wheatley echoed the benefits seen by other states that have legalized marijuana, such as reducing criminal justice costs.
If Allegheny County and Philadelphia were allowed to impose local taxes of 1 to 2 percent, Allegheny County could collect an additional $3.8 million annually while Philadelphia could receive $6.9 million, the report said.
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