BILL WOULD LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, PAY REPARATIONS TO PAST OFFENDERS

Two state lawmakers say they will take another stab at legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania, and not only do they want to make pot legal, they want to pay people for the “damages” they have suffered for past marijuana offenses. Democrats Rick Krajewski and Dan Frankel say the state has learned from public health experts, criminal justice and social equity advocates, and the 24 other states that have legalized recreational marijuana how to do it safely and generate hundreds of millions of dollars of state revenue. Their legislation would expunge the criminal records of offenders and give them “restorative justice”, meaning compensation.  It would pump millions of dollars into communities they say are “disproportionately harmed” by the war on drugs, protect public health by regulating the potency, marketing, and packaging of marijuana, and open opportunities for “sustainable cannabis businesses.” Another legalization bill was introduced in the House in September. Frankel is from Allegheny County and Krajewski is from Philadelphia.  Representative Jim Struzzi and Senator Joe Pittman have opposed past attempts to legalize recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania. .