HARRISBURG, Pa. —
Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition (PCC) Executive Director Meredith Buettner today issued a statement commending Governor Shapiro’s inclusion of adult use cannabis in his 2023-2024 Budget materials. The PCC is a not for profit advocacy organization that collaborates with medical marijuana operators, and cannabis industry professionals to protect, preserve and advance the state’s emerging cannabis market.
“We commend Governor Shapiro for his leadership on the legalization of adult use cannabis. With the inclusion of adult use cannabis in his budget, Governor Shapiro formally added his voice to the millions of Pennsylvanians who know it is time for the Commonwealth to join 21 other states and legalize cannabis for use by adults 21 and over. Governor Shapiro proposes to begin adult use sales in the 2024-25 Fiscal Year and levy a 20% wholesale tax. The proposal is estimated to generate revenues of $27.8 million for FY 2024-25; $98.9 million for FY 2025-26; $180.8 million for FY 2026-27; and $252.7 million for 2027-28. The proposal does not include a sales tax.
Governor Shapiro’s leadership on this issue stands to deliver more than just revenue to the Commonwealth. The establishment of an adult use market built on the experience of the current medical marijuana program will add thousands of jobs and reap millions of dollars in investments for Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition looks forward to working with the Shapiro administration, key advocates in the Pennsylvania Legislature, and stakeholders to craft a regulatory system that legalizes the sale of recreational cannabis through a well-regulated system that assures safe products for adult consumers, reduces the impact of the illicit market, rights the wrongs of cannabis prohibition and allows the Commonwealth to quickly experience revenue.”
