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Dear PCC Members,
Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 1200 on a party-line vote. While this is a significant step in the conversation around adult-use cannabis, the drafting of HB 1200 excluded meaningful engagement with the state’s existing medical marijuana industry and the bill itself omits the businesses that have created over 23,000 jobs and invested hundreds of millions into Pennsylvania’s communities, our continued involvement is critical to building a safe, sustainable, and equitable adult-use market.
We are actively developing a strategy to engage the Senate and ensure that the final legislation reflects the strengths of Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis framework. Our focus will be on advocating for thoughtful improvements to the bill, including the creation of an independent regulatory body, protections for the medical program, and a realistic implementation path that includes experienced operators.
Below is a press release that was distributed shortly after the vote occured. Please feel free to distribute it as you see fit and/or send press in PCC’s direction.
We will keep you informed as our efforts progress and welcome your input and engagement throughout this process.
Thanks, Meredith
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2025
Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Include Medical Marijuana Industry in Adult-Use Legalization Plans
HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition (PCC), which represents the Commonwealth’s licensed medical marijuana permit holders and industry partners, is encouraging state lawmakers to actively engage with the existing medical marijuana industry as they consider the future of adult-use cannabis legislation.
Following today’s passage of House Bill 1200, the PCC shared its perspective that the current proposal could benefit significantly from greater collaboration with established medical cannabis operators—businesses that have created over 23,000 jobs and invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Pennsylvania’s communities.
“While we support the responsible and equitable legalization of adult-use cannabis, we believe HB 1200 represents a missed opportunity to build on the strengths of Pennsylvania’s established medical marijuana framework,” said Meredith Buettner Schneider, Executive Director of the PCC. “Excluding the current industry from a future adult use market risks delaying safe access, weakening consumer confidence, and unintentionally supporting the illicit market. Our state has a robust, compliant, and job-creating cannabis infrastructure that should be a part of the path forward.”
The PCC remains committed to partnering with lawmakers to develop thoughtful, inclusive legislation that reflects both public interest and the realities of the market. By incorporating experienced operators into an adult-use system, Pennsylvania can achieve faster implementation, safer access, and stronger economic returns.
“We’re ready to work alongside legislators to create a comprehensive, effective adult-use framework that honors the progress we’ve made and builds a brighter future,” said Buettner Schneider. “Pennsylvanians deserve legislation that’s inclusive, thoughtful, and sustainable. We urge the Senate to build on HB 1200 by enhancing it in a way that prioritizes public health and safety, creates an independent regulatory body, supports economic growth, and protects the integrity of the medical cannabis program.”
Industry operators echoed this sentiment.
“As a licensed vertically-integrated operator, we’ve made significant investments in Pennsylvania—creating local jobs, building state-of-the-art facilities, and serving patients with safe, regulated products,” said PCC President Chris Ferguson, VP of Government Affairs at Verano. “We want to see adult-use legalization, but it must be built on a strong foundation. Excluding the industry that’s already delivering results is not the right approach.”
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Media Contact:
Meredith Buettner Schneider
Executive Director, Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition
Meredith@pcanna.org
