PA Farmers Could Grow Marijuana Under Proposed State Law

HARRISBURG, PA — A bill proposed in the state House would permit farmers and agricultural businesses in Pennsylvania to grow and sell marijuana once adult-use cannabis use is legalized in the state.

Democratic representatives Melissa Shusterman of Chester County and Ismail Smith-Wade-El of Lancaster County are proposing legislation that would establish a permit process for the growth and sale of recreational marijuana use. Currently, only cannabis use for medical use is permitted in Pennsylvania, but both lawmakers said they believe legal recreational use is inevitable in the state.

"Enabling local cultivation would allow Pennsylvania farmers and their communities to benefit from the legalization of adult-use cannabis," the pair stated in a memo to colleagues. "Moreover, this legislation would enable participation in the industry by women growers and growers from marginalized communities."

According to U.S. News & World Report, states that legalizeave d recreational marijuana use include Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Michigan, Vermont, Illinois and Arizona.

Washington, D.C. and the U.S. territory of Guam also have done so.