Bipartisan Pennsylvania Lawmakers Argue Over Strategy To Pass Marijuana Legalization Bill

A Longstanding Battle Over Cannabis Reform in Harrisburg

Pennsylvania lawmakers remain divided over how to advance adult-use marijuana legalization, with partisan sparring over legislative tactics stalling progress yet again. Despite bipartisan support for ending prohibition and strong public backing, competing strategies in the state House and Senate continue to delay movement on a comprehensive legalization plan.

This week, tensions escalated after Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie), chair of the Senate Law and Justice Committee and a leading Republican voice on cannabis reform, declared that the Democratic-controlled House must act first by passing language from his legalization bill before he will advance it through the Senate. Democratic lawmakers quickly pushed back, accusing Senate Republicans of playing political games and shirking responsibility.

Senator Laughlin Insists House Must Move First

Laughlin, who co-authored a bipartisan legalization proposal earlier this summer with Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), said on Tuesday that his chamber is waiting for the House to prove its commitment by advancing the House version of his bill, sponsored by Rep. Amen Brown (D).

“The House needs to pass the language in my bill and send it to my committee,” Laughlin argued, adding that only then can he “negotiate with the Senate and the governor.”

Pressed on why he won’t advance his bill directly through his own committee, Laughlin responded that the House must first demonstrate it has the political will to pass his language.

Democrats Push Back, Calling for Senate Action

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) criticized Laughlin’s approach, responding pointedly on X (formerly Twitter) that the Senate should act first. “Send the House something so we know you’re actually serious about adult use, & we’ll figure out a path forward,” he wrote.

Bizzarro noted that the House has already shown it has the votes to pass a legalization bill, but Republicans have refused to put one on the Senate floor. “You all have yet to show anyone you have skin in the game. Call a committee meeting, take a vote on the Senate floor, and send us your proposal,” he said.

Laughlin acknowledged that “the ball is in my court,” but maintained his position that the House needs to move on Brown’s version first.

The Ongoing Dispute Over Sales Models

Part of the stalemate stems from a fundamental disagreement over how Pennsylvania should structure its cannabis market. The House earlier advanced a legalization bill with a state-run sales model, but Laughlin and Senate Republicans quickly killed it in committee, insisting that a privately licensed business system would be more workable.

This policy split has hardened into a political impasse, with each chamber waiting for the other to compromise.

Governor and Election Politics Add Pressure

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) has made legalization a central piece of his budget plan, projecting $536.5 million in first-year revenue. He has refused to “concede” on the issue, calling cannabis reform a fiscal necessity.

But Republicans, including Senate leadership, remain skeptical. Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R), a leading GOP gubernatorial candidate, recently dodged questions on her stance, saying she has no firm position. She criticized Shapiro’s revenue projections as “way, way overstated,” pointing to Ohio’s $115 million in revenue in its first year of adult-use sales as a more realistic benchmark.

Still, Garrity said that if legalization passes, she would ensure cannabis businesses have access to proper banking services.

Federal Rescheduling Could Shift the Debate

The ongoing national debate over federal cannabis policy could also influence Pennsylvania lawmakers. Sen. Sharif Street (D) recently argued that if the federal government reschedules marijuana—a decision President Donald Trump has said is imminent—it would provide “political cover” for GOP lawmakers in Harrisburg who remain hesitant.

Rescheduling could ease concerns about banking, taxation, and law enforcement conflicts, potentially making it easier for Republicans to support state-level legalization.

New Bills and Renewed Efforts in the House

Despite the stalemate, new bills continue to be filed. Reps. Emily Kinkead (D) and Abby Major (R) introduced bipartisan legalization legislation this month with support from eight additional cosponsors. Their measure mirrors Laughlin and Street’s Senate proposal, seeking to build momentum across both chambers.

Laughlin and a coalition of lawmakers also filed a separate bill to create a new regulatory body that would oversee Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program while preparing to regulate an eventual adult-use market.

Meanwhile, Democrats in the House are urging voters to pressure state senators to support reform, arguing legalization would improve public health, enhance safety, and bring billions in revenue.

Public Support and GOP Divisions

Polls consistently show majority support for marijuana legalization among Pennsylvania voters across party lines. Some Republicans, including Laughlin, see legalization as an opportunity for their party to take the lead on a popular issue rather than allowing Democrats to claim credit.

Still, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R) and Sen. Scott Martin (R), chair of the Appropriations Committee, have signaled they are unlikely to move forward with adult-use bills this session.

The divide within the GOP remains a major obstacle, even as bipartisan partnerships like Laughlin-Street and Kinkead-Major demonstrate cross-party interest.

Will Pennsylvania Break the Deadlock?

Despite the growing number of legalization bills and strong public support, Pennsylvania remains gridlocked. The House insists the Senate must move first, while the Senate claims the House must act on Laughlin’s language before negotiations can begin.

With neighboring Ohio already launching its adult-use cannabis market and New York expanding its own system, pressure on Pennsylvania lawmakers will only intensify. For now, however, the partisan and strategic disputes in Harrisburg continue to delay progress, leaving legalization in limbo for another year.