In a flurry of recent activity the first week of October, two different bills were filed in Pennsylvania. One, from a bipartisan group, looks to legalize recreational cannabis possession and sales. The other, with 19 cosponsors, will authorize the production of psilocybin for clinical trials. These clinical trials would aim towards helping veterans and first responders with PTSD.
Psilocybin Bill
Led by Representative Tracy Pennycuick, R, the psilocybin bill is called HB 1959. Also called the Public Health Benefits of Psilocybin Act, it became introduced on October 6. The bill would allow the Pennsylvania Department of Health to authorize two entities to grow, cultivate, and produce psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The sole purpose of the mushrooms would be for clinical trials for veterans and first responders suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Representative Pennycuick, an army veteran with PTSD herself, said “as traditional treatment has proven inadequate at both the individual and public health level, the Commonwealth has a responsibility to research alternative options.” By studying psilocybin and it’s potential therapeutic benefits for PTSD, this bill is a viable option for alternative options.
“A couple other states are starting studies on this treatment, and with Pennsylvania being home to the fourth largest population of veterans in the United States, it only makes sense we are among the first to take action on clinical studies that could help our military men and women,” she added.
Recreational Cannabis
A bipartisan pair of Senators also filed a recreational cannabis legalization bill two days after HB 1959 on October 8. Brought forth by Senator Dan Laughlin, R, and Senator Sharif Street, D, this bill would allow people 21 and older to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis. Additionally, individuals can possess five grams of cannabis concentrate.
The bill, which has not been assigned a bill number yet, looks to have the courts “compile records that can be automatically expunged” within six months of the bill’s passage. It includes automatically expunging low-level possession offenses and distribution, but not the illegal sale of cannabis.
A six percent sales tax, plus a ten percent excise tax would apply to all purchases. Cannabis revenue would split three ways. Ten percent would go to counties, then another ten percent would go to municipalities. The final 80 percent would go to the Cannabis Regulation Fund, which also promotes social equity.
Finally, this Pennsylvania bill would “pay for outreach that may be provided or targeted to attract and support social and economic equity applicants” and fund “job training and technical assistance for residents in disproportionately impacted areas.”
Next Steps
This bill comes shortly after Philadelphia announced a ballot question to call on lawmakers to move recreational cannabis legalization forward. The people have spoken and they want recreational cannabis legalization. The vote in Philadelphia will take place on the first Tuesday of November. This year, that falls on November 2. While it won’t legalize cannabis for the state, it will add pressure on lawmakers to move legalization forward. That could potentially happen with this newly introduced bill.
As more information about both bills become available, we will update you with the latest.
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