“I certainly think that people used to run away from it, but we just need to accept that there is nothing more inherently damaging about marijuana than legal substances like alcohol or anything else,” Congresswoman Cortez told TMZ.
AOC continued by specifically calling out the War on Drugs, and encouraging cannabis legalization as not only an economic boost and a matter of personal freedom, but also as a social justice cause.
The latest in a series of bills to legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania for adult recreational use was introduced Monday in the Assembly.
The bill, H.R. 50, which would amend current law, differs radically from previous efforts to legalize marijuana. Introduced by Rep Jake Wheatley (D., Allegheny), it addresses several issues long fought for by advocates.
The bill before the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday would legalize up to 1 ounce (28 grams) of recreational marijuana and 5 grams of concentrated cannabis. Adults would be allowed to grow up to six plants, and a commission would be set up to license and regulate an industry supporters said could produce $33 million per year in revenue.
Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, reintroduced updated adult-use cannabis legislation that he had first sponsored last September.
“For too long we have allowed myths and ignorance to prevent a realistic and thoughtful discussion regarding the legalization of adult-use cannabis,” Wheatley said at a press conference on Monday. “In 2016, we passed a law allowing medical cannabis in Pennsylvania. That law was the right step, the first step, but we need to do more."
The first public hearing on New Hampshire House Bill 481, which would legalize the adult use of cannabis in the state, is scheduled for February 5, 2019. The bill outlines how New Hampshire would regulate cannabis products, including recreational “adult use” products, the licensing and regulation of sales establishments, and the taxation scheme.
Meanwhile, across the mighty Hudson in New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy, who made marijuana legalization a big part of his gubernatorial campaign in 2017 (New Jersey governors are elected in odd numbered years), renewed his call for legalization in his State of the State speech.
“By legalizing adult-use marijuana — first and foremost — we can reverse the inequality and unfairness left from years of failed drug policies and shift public safety resources to where they can do the most good,” he said.
Facing the “inevitable” prospect of being encircled by states that have legalized recreational marijuana, Gov. Gina Raimondo will propose this week that Rhode Island do the same.
“I will say, I do this with reluctance,” she told The Journal last week. “I have resisted this for the four years I’ve been governor. ... Now, however, things have changed, mainly because all of our neighbors are moving forward” with legalization.
New Jersey saw immense progress in 2018, though no certain milestones have been reached just yet. The year began with staunchly anti-cannabis Governor Chris Christie succeeded by a pro-cannabis governor, Phil Murphy. Murphy swore to legalize adult use within the first 100 days of his term. This did not occur.
More than six years after the state legalized the adult use of marijuana, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Friday he plans to pardon thousands of people convicted of small-time possession charges — the latest in a series of moves by states and cities to ease the burdens people face from having minor criminal records for using pot.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing ahead with plans to fully legalize marijuana this legislative session.
On Thursday, Rep. Jake Wheatley Jr. (D) released a co-sponsorship memo seeking support for a forthcoming House bill that he described as “the most comprehensive legalization legislation to date.” The bill would permit adults 21 and older to purchase, possess and consume cannabis, and tax revenue from retail sales would be invested in programs like student debt forgiveness and affordable housing.