Pennsylvania‘s Governor Josh Shapiro is all in for legalizing adult-use cannabis in the state. In the Governor’s 2025-26 budget address, he noted that being surrounded by legal states, Pennsylvania is losing much-desired tax revenues. He ended his speech on cannabis by saying, ‘Let’s get it done.’
“Let’s not kid ourselves. Pennsylvanians who want to buy cannabis are just driving across the border to one of our neighbors. Five of our neighboring states have legalized adult-use cannabis,” Shapiro said. “I’ve talked to the CEOs of the companies right across the border in New Jersey, Maryland and New York who tell me that 60% of their customers in those shops are Pennsylvanians. We’re losing out on revenue that’s going to other states instead of helping us here.”
He added:
We’re losing out on an industry that, over the first five years, will bring in $1.3 billion in new revenue to our Commonwealth.
Shapiro asked lawmakers to give him a bill that legalizes adult-use cannabis and expunges the records of people who have been convicted for nonviolent possession of small amounts of marijuana. Adding, “A bill that sets reasonable regulations, protects public safety, and gives communities that suffered from the criminalization of cannabis an opportunity to succeed.”
He acknowledged that some of his constituents believe the process could be complicated, but he pointed out that Ohio and Maryland both managed to accomplish adult-use legalization. He also reminded residents that 24 states have already legalized adult-use cannabis.
Jushi Holdings Inc. (CSE: JUSH) (OTCQX: JUSHF) released a statement saying, “Jushi and its subsidiaries’ hundreds of employees here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are pleased that the legalization of cannabis is once again a priority for the legislative session. And while we agree that there are important budget implications to this policy, it is also critically important to extend public protections of the regulated medical market we’ve created to the adult use marketplace.”
Gov. Shapiro sought to reach more conservative voters by reminding them that he was a father of four and the former chief law enforcement officer of this Commonwealth. He said he didn’t come to this conclusion easily. He said he has studied the issue and understands its impacts. He also believes that a regulated adult-use program would reduce traffic to illicit markets.
“Legalizing cannabis for adult use is a common-sense policy supported by over 60% of the public, and even opponents prefer a regulated market to the status quo. It’s past time to provide the public with a legal, regulated adult-use cannabis marketplace,” said Jim Cacioppo, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and Founder of Jushi.
Pennsylvania currently runs a robust medical marijuana program. The state reported $6.7 billion in sales since the program was launched in 2020. In 2024, most months reported sales beyond $140 million.
Green Market Report previously wrote that an independent analysis by FTI Consulting on the potential of the Pennsylvania recreational marijuana market found that the state could hit up to $2.8 billion in sales in the first year of operations and create nearly 45,000 jobs.
[[{“value”:”Pennsylvania’s Governor cited the lost tax revenues as residents cross state lines to make recreational purchases.
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