Its been a banner year for weed in the Keystone State.
After a years-long back-and-forth in Harrisburg, medical marijuana in Pennsylvania is finally legal. However, there arent yet any public signs of this, and itll be some time before medical marijuana patients can actually be prescribed cannabis for consumption.
Still, lets not underestimate our lawmakers actually getting something done. Progress is progress. Heres a look at the past 12 months of legal activity around marijuana in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia and what to expect in 2017:
Medical marijuana
What happened in PA this year
A lot. In April, the legislature passed and Gov. Tom Wolf signed the states first legal medical cannabis bill. While the legislation went into effect 30 days after it won the signature of the governor, we still havent seen any, well, real public signs that medical cannabis is legal for medical purposes in Pennsylvania.
Thats because you cant get a massive new program dispensing a once-illegal drug out the door overnight. Its going to take time to get the regulations set by the state Department of Health and the infrastructure in place before growing marijuana can even begin to happen.
Here are the basics of the bill and whats in place:
- Only patients with 17 specific medical conditions will qualify.
- Only specially-licensed doctors can prescribe medical cannabis.
- There will no more than 150 dispensaries and 50 growing operations statewide.
- Steep taxes are in place, too. The state stands to make millions.
What happened in Philly this year
This citys got its work cut out for it in figuring out the best way to allow and implement state plans for dispensaries and growing operations. A City Council committee heard testimony back in September about the rollout of medical marijuana in Philadelphia, specifically with regard to economic benefits for the city and how areas with dispensaries should be zoned.
Last month, a Council committee OKd regulations on where medical marijuana can be grown and distributed in Philadelphia. Among the restrictions are that dispensaries cant be within 1,000 feet of other regulated uses (ex. sex shops) or 500 feet from hotels, convention centers, schools up to 12th grade and public playgrounds.
What to expect in 2017
A lot of the same. While the state spent much of 2016 getting regulations in place for medical marijuana, its still nowhere close to ready to officially rolling out the program. Licensed growers and dispensers still must apply, then be accepted, then pay hefty fees to the state and then start working to get their own businesses up and running. Meanwhile, doctors will be working to get licensed themselves if you want medical cannabis, you have to go to a doctor able to prescribe it. And some simply wont be willing. Thats why we wouldnt recommend holding your breath that youll see the full effects of PAs medical cannabis law in 2017. It will likely be 2018 before you see a dispensary crop up.
Marijuana decriminalization
What happened in PA this year
Its been more than two years since Philadelphia lessened the punishments and changed the way it enforced possession of a small amount of the drug. Might the rest of the state eventually follow suit? Well, in some cities and boroughs, yes. Pittsburghs law decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana officially went into effect in January. Harrisburg approved its own decriminalization measure and, in August, State College made moves toward decriminalizing marijuana. And Gov. Tom Wolf has said itd be smart to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana statewide.
I think in a lot of local municipalities, decriminalization has already taken place, Wolf told WITF. I think we need to do that in a more systematic fashion
In May, state Rep. Ed Gainey, D-Allegheny, introduced a marijuana decriminalization bill that would stipulate the maximum penalty for anyone caught with under an ounce of weed to be no greater than a $100 fine. At this point, anyone caught with any amount of marijuana is subject to spend up to 30 days in prison.
What happened in Philly this year
Since decriminalization in Philadelphia, arrests for marijuana have fallen off a cliff and are down by more than 75 percent. The original bill was sponsored by then-City Councilman Jim Kenney. Now mayor, Kenney has vowed his administration will review the bills successes and failures. Hes estimated the bill would save the city $7 million a year ($3 million in police costs and $4 million in courts costs).
What to expect in 2017
You can certainly expect Gaineys bill in the House to get more traction. But its unclear how likely passage is. The legislature is more conservative than ever before, and many of the states Republican leaders have made it clear: They were slowly convinced on medical cannabis, but theyve got no appetite for leading Pennsylvania down a road toward legalization. Its doubtful this would be approved, at least within the next 365 days.
Recreational marijuana
What happened in PA this year
PA Sen. Daylin Leach is likely the largest advocate for legalizing recreational marijuana in Harrisburg, and has several times introduced legislation that would legalize the drug in Pennsylvania. His legislation would essentially regulate weed the same way the state regulates sales of alcohol. In June, Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia, officially introduced legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana, and hes in the process of looking for cosponsors.
Lawmakers pushing for the legalization of recreational marijuana tout, among other things, the potential for huge economic gain and significant tax revenue for the state. In 2016, marijuana sales topped a billion dollars in Colorado where the population is less than half what it is in Pennsylvania.
What happened in Philly this year
Philly likely cant legalize recreational marijuana solely within its borders. But much of the support for recreational weed would likely come from Philadelphia lawmakers.
What to expect in 2017
Its pretty unlikely decriminalization will happen any time soon. Full-on legalization without a change in a federal statute? Almost fantasy at this point.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: 2016 – The Year Pennsylvania Got In The Marijuana Business
Author: Anna Orso
Contact: (215) 821-8477
Photo Credit: Andy Colwell
Website: Billy Penn
