A Pennsylvania state lawmaker introduced a recreational cannabis legalization bill that calls for retail stores to be operated by the state Liquor Control Board, a move that would limit private business opportunities.
The proposed law, introduced by Democratic Rep. David Delloso, comes just days after Gov. Tom Wolf said he supports legalizing recreational marijuana.
The governor’s office didn’t immediately respond to a query asking if this is what he had in mind.
The 19-page bill, which has 23 co-sponsors, is short on licensing specifics, but includes these provisions in addition to the state-controlled retail stores:
- A 19% retail sales tax.
- A 10% tax to be paid by cultivators.
- A July 1, 2020 deadline for the state Liquor Control Board to establish regulations including cannabis licensing procedures.
About 65% of Pennsylvanians support rec MJ legalization, according to polls and a report released from Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s statewide cannabis listening tour.
But Republican lawmakers say they have no interest in taking up a bill legalizing recreational marijuana.
Jeff Smith can be reached at jeffs@mjbizdaily.com
