legalized cannabis in PA (Newtown, Penn: sales, buy, university)

[NewtownBucks]

Originally Posted by quiet life

You are preaching to the choir. It would make sense to move forward. If WVA passes a bill before PA does, that would be an embarrassment. However, that would entail our politicians being above shame.

What is the process to get a ballot referendum for a constitutional amendment like they did in OH? That's probably the best way to go if possible rather than counting on the dysfunctional legislature to act on it.

[quiet life]

Originally Posted by NewtownBucks

What is the process to get a ballot referendum for a constitutional amendment like they did in OH? That's probably the best way to go if possible rather than counting on the dysfunctional legislature to act on it.

https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/...g-issue-2-law/

I found this link which covers a group called "Coalition to regulate marijuana like alcohol." I am guessing that it's a lobbying arm from the marijuana industry that formed a petition to get it on the ballot. Say it does get on the ballot in PA. Would they have state stores like we have already in PA for liquor? Many questions would have to be resolved in how to cut the revenue pie. Which goes to the above point how this will drag out for quite some time while PA loses tax revenue to OH, NY, NJ, MD and DE.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by NewtownBucks

What is the process to get a ballot referendum for a constitutional amendment like they did in OH? That's probably the best way to go if possible rather than counting on the dysfunctional legislature to act on it.

Pennsylvania has neither citizen initiative nor referendum.

The process of amending the state constitution does involve the voters: after two successive General Assemblies have voted to approve an amendment, the measure is then put before the voters for their approval.

But in this case, I don't believe a constitutional amendment would be required to legalize recreational cannabis use. You'll just have to lean on your legislators to get moving on it.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by quiet life

https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/...g-issue-2-law/

I found this link which covers a group called "Coalition to regulate marijuana like alcohol." I am guessing that it's a lobbying arm from the marijuana industry that formed a petition to get it on the ballot. Say it does get on the ballot in PA. Would they have state stores like we have already in PA for liquor? Many questions would have to be resolved in how to cut the revenue pie. Which goes to the above point how this will drag out for quite some time while PA loses tax revenue to OH, NY, NJ, MD and DE.

Something tells me that any recreational marijuana law in this state would set up a state-run control board that oversaw the sale of weed. Cannabis Control Board, anyone?

"So remember, for all the good times in your life, remember to bring Fine Wine, Good Spirits and Killer Weed."

[NewtownBucks]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

Pennsylvania has neither citizen initiative nor referendum.

The process of amending the state constitution does involve the voters: after two successive General Assemblies have voted to approve an amendment, the measure is then put before the voters for their approval.

But in this case, I don't believe a constitutional amendment would be required to legalize recreational cannabis use. You'll just have to lean on your legislators to get moving on it.

Right. I have no confidence in the PA legislature to do anything right. LOL.

[Muinteoir]

Pennsylvania is in dire need of some form of citizen-initiated referendum and ranked choice voting. A controversial opinion, I know.

[NewtownBucks]

Originally Posted by Muinteoir

Pennsylvania is in dire need of some form of citizen-initiated referendum and ranked choice voting. A controversial opinion, I know.

The whole entire country needs ranked choice voting. That's not controversial. The fact that no one other than Trump, Hillary, and Biden have had any chance to be President for the last 8 years should wake everyone up to that.

[Jessie Mitchell]

I came from a state with citizen initiatives and, wow, can it get messy and deceptive and makes voting a challenge because of the way the various interests title, frame, and sell their proposed laws or changes to laws. Now, some years away from all that, I do really miss it. When you have a gerrymandered state legislature it is really the only way to put some leverage directly back in the hands of voters. If you have a gerrymandered legislature that is always going to lean right in a state where, statewide, there's a slight lean left, the legislature does not accurately reflect the will of the voters and has no interest in doing so. But of course, the right isn't all in on this democratic experiment anyway.

[cue someone chiming in with the "representative republic" whitewash]

[Muinteoir]

Originally Posted by NewtownBucks

The whole entire country needs ranked choice voting. That's not controversial. The fact that no one other than Trump, Hillary, and Biden have had any chance to be President for the last 8 years should wake everyone up to that.

I completely agree, however many more people oppose ranked choice voting than you'd imagine. Some chalk up their opposition to "RCV is too hard for people to understand," others think it's another ploy to "steal elections," and some will admit themselves they are just afraid of change. Regardless, I think younger people tend to have a resoundingly favorable view of RCV, so perhaps I'll see change in my lifetime.

[Muinteoir]

Originally Posted by Jessie Mitchell

I came from a state with citizen initiatives and, wow, can it get messy and deceptive and makes voting a challenge because of the way the various interests title, frame, and sell their proposed laws or changes to laws. Now, some years away from all that, I do really miss it. When you have a gerrymandered state legislature it is really the only way to put some leverage directly back in the hands of voters. If you have a gerrymandered legislature that is always going to lean right in a state where, statewide, there's a slight lean left, the legislature does not accurately reflect the will of the voters and has no interest in doing so. But of course, the right isn't all in on this democratic experiment anyway.

[cue someone chiming in with the "representative republic" whitewash]

Democracy will always be messy, but I will always favor movements that make our processes more democratic. I will always favor putting power in the hands of the people, as opposed to power in the hands of the few, of the 'elite.'