Pennsylvania Democrats, as expected, are trying again to legalize adult-use cannabis through legislation.
State Reps. Jake Wheatley and Dan Frankel on Tuesday introduced House Bill 2050, which would create a recreational marijuana market with limited licensing, a social equity emphasis and a retail sales tax rate that would begin at 6% and gradually go up to 19% by the fifth year.
Pressure has increased on Pennsylvania to legalize recreational marijuana sales now that neighboring New Jersey is preparing to launch a market next year.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has been urging lawmakers to legalize recreational marijuana since last year.
But the GOP-controlled Senate still is considered a major obstacle, as it has been during previous efforts.