Pennsylvania Marijuana Legalization Prospects Increase As Democrats Claim Majority In House, With Incoming Pro-Reform Governor
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Pennsylvania Democrats say that they’ve won enough seats to take control of the House after Tuesday’s election—a development that could have major implications for marijuana reform in the state, where the newly elected governor backs legalization. While votes are technically still being counted for two more House seats—with Democrats currently just one shy of a 102-member majority in the chamber—the party is declaring victory nonetheless. Meanwhile, Republicans will keep control of the Senate, with a 28-22 majority, the GOP says—but advocates are cautiously optimistic that the political shift in the House significantly improves the odds of enacting cannabis reform. Until now, legalization has stalled in the Keystone State with Republicans holding majorities in both chambers. While some GOP lawmakers have sponsored reform bills, leadership has represented an obstacle, even as outgoing Gov. Tom Wolf (D) has pressured the legislature to enact a policy change. The hope for advocates is that the newly Democratic House could partner with Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro (D), who currently serves as the state’s attorney general, to push for legalization in the 2023 session and ramp up pressure on the Senate to not stand in the way of a reform that polls show is broadly supported by the state’s voters. Pennsylvania has spoken. We can confidently say Democrats will control the State House next year! pic.twitter.com/9SnjQYmH9Q — PA House Dems (@PAHDCC) November 9, 2022 It’s not yet clear who will serve in Senate GOP leadership, which will be a key factor in deciding what bills are taken up and advanced. But there are several Republican senators in office—including Sens. Mike Regan (R) and Dan Laughlin (R)—who have pushed for legalization. If a legalization bill were to be allowed to advance next session, it would need the support of at least four Republican senators, assuming all Democratic members…
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