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By Bella Serefina Brown Nystrom
After the Senate rejected House Bill 1200, a proposal for state-controlled cannabis sales, State Senator Marty Flynn is preparing to introduce a new position on progression: the Keystone Cannabis Act. This upcoming bill aims to legalize adult-use marijuana in Pennsylvania with a comprehensive, safety-first approach that supports individual freedom and economic opportunity.
The Framework of this bill would allow adults aged 21 and over to legally possess, purchase, and use cannabis under this legislation. But the Keystone Cannabis Act is about more than just legalization, it’s about responsible regulation. A new independent Cannabis Commission, composed of experts from key state departments like Health, Agriculture, and State Police, would be created to oversee all aspects of the industry, from cultivation to retail—to ensure transparency, public safety, and product integrity.
Projected to generate over $500 million annually, cannabis sales would fund a Community Reinvestment and Infrastructure Fund, which will help fuel:
- Rural development via the RAEIZ Program, supporting small towns with grants for agriculture, redevelopment, and new business.
- City revitalization by expanding current investment zones to more urban and suburban communities.
- Infrastructure improvements, such as better roads, public transit, broadband, and clean water systems.
- Support for local services, including public health programs, substance use education, mental health initiatives, and law enforcement.
Justice and Opportunity at the Core
This bill takes seriously the historic harms of cannabis prohibition. It prioritizes business licenses for individuals from communities most affected by past enforcement policies and includes record expungement measures for certain non-violent cannabis convictions.
Consumer Safety Comes First
All cannabis products would undergo mandatory third-party testing to verify safety and potency. Strict labeling, packaging, and transparency requirements will guard against contamination or misrepresentation. Labs will be closely monitored and audited to avoid conflicts of interest and protect consumers.
Pennsylvania’s neighbors—New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Ohio—have already moved forward with legalization. The question is no longer if we should legalize, but how we do it right. The Keystone Cannabis Act presents a path that respects adult choice, replaces the illegal market with a safer alternative, and reinvests in communities that need it most.
To learn more, visit Palegis.us
