US EditionPennsylvania Senate Divided as Shapiro Pushes Cannabis Legalization
Governor Shapiro seeks Senate approval for adult-use cannabis legalization to generate over $729 million in first-year revenue amid divided GOP leadership.
- Amid a divided Senate Republican caucus, the Shapiro administration says the failure to advance cannabis legislation lies with Senate Republican leadership and seeks a legislative proposal first.
- With public-safety and federal-law concerns cited, the state Senate committee rejected the state-store plan in a party-line vote, the committee said.
- The Shapiro administration projects more than $729 million in year one, with about $660 million from licensing fees, and the state House of Representatives voted 102-101 on a state-owned stores model.
- The Shapiro administration blamed Senate Republican leadership for refusing to consider regulations, while Majority Leader Joe Pittman and State Sen. Dan Laughlin demanded a legislative proposal.
- Supporters hope election-year pressure and rising state spending will push lawmakers to act on legalization, with advocates cautious but optimistic about passing a bill this year, as the IFO warns savings could run out by 2027-28.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Meadville Tribune
Are Republicans in Pa. ready for legal weed this year? Advocates are skeptical
HARRISBURG — Legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania continues to face a “very divided” Republican caucus, a major obstacle as Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro again calls for the state to take action.
Marijuana Moment
Pennsylvania Governor Should Lead On Marijuana Legalization By Convening Bipartisan Lawmakers For Negotiations, Advocates Say
As Pennsylvania’s governor promotes his latest call for marijuana legalization in the Keystone State, a coalition of drug policy and civil liberties organizations are urging him to play a leadership role in convening legislative leaders to get the job done this session. Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) renewed his push for legalization in his newest budget request—the third in a row to include the proposed reform—and he discussed the issue during an interv…
Why legal weed still faces steep odds in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG — Legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania continues to face a “very divided” Republican caucus, a major obstacle as Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro again calls for the state to take action. Advocates for legal cannabis saw significant action in 2025, including the passage of a bill out of the state House for the first time. Some continue to hope that the need for more revenue to cover rising state spending and pressure during a…
Governor Shapiro’s Call for Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Earns High Praise from Pennsylvania Cannabis Advocates - Bucks County Beacon
Gov. Josh Shapiro used Tuesday’s annual budget address to urge lawmakers in Harrisburg to finally reform the commonwealth’s stance – and laws – over adult-use recreational marijuana. “We’re putting our communities at risk and losing out on billions of dollars in revenue by doing nothing,” said Shapiro in reference to passing “comprehensive cannabis reform.” The Governor’s Press Office asserts that “regulating skill games and legalizing adult-use…
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