Recreational marijuana bill introduced in Pennsylvania
By Andrew Blake - The Washington Times - Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Pennsylvania is on a path to potentially legalizing recreational marijuana after a Democratic state representative introduced a bill Monday permitting adults to possess, use and grow the plant.
Introduced by Rep. Jake Wheatley, House Bill 2600 would add Pennsylvania to the list of nine states and counting to legalize recreational marijuana in spite of federal prohibition while simultaneously reducing the strain on the commonwealth’s prison system.
In addition to letting adults legally use and grow the plant in private, Mr. Wheatley’s bill would also nullify previous marijuana-related convictions and “immediately release people jailed for crimes associated with cannabis,” he said in a statement.
“My legislation to legalize recreational cannabis rights the wrongs of the past. If this becomes law, anyone’s prior convictions that would be legal under my bill will have their criminal records wiped clean,” said Mr. Wheatley, a U.S Marine Corps veteran representing portions of Allegheny County, including Pittsburgh, the state’s second-most populated city.
“Those who have criminal histories related to cannabis would be expunged, and professional and driver’s licenses that were revoked or suspended due to cannabis-related crimes would be reinstated,” he added. “For far too long, the criminal justice system has unfairly punished Pennsylvanians, especially minorities, who are caught with cannabis.”
