One of my favorite things about the craft beer boom over the last 10-15 years is that it has allowed for so much creativity. There are an ever-growing number of IPAs out there, I am partial to hazy and New England styles, and every different brewery will have its own unique spin. This leads to breweries becoming destinations worth visiting and generates an increase in businesses surrounding the brewery, with older buildings being repurposed. The craft brewing industry has generated hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars for the economy. Pennsylvania ranks near the top in the nation for economic impact generated by craft beer, and yet we do not do the same for cannabis.

Five of our six bordering states have already legalized recreational use, and those states are not just receiving the tax revenue and jobs created. In fact, hundreds of millions of dollars in potential tax revenue from Pennsylvanians goes to these states. I want Pennsylvania to have a thriving craft cannabis industry to go hand in hand with our craft beer industry. Locally owned, operated, and sourced Pennsylvania Craft Cannabis. Businesses that become part of our local community, not dominated by out-of-state mega-corporations or restricted to state-run stores.

We can use this increase in tax revenue to fund our most underfunded schools, fix our roads, provide broadband internet to communities without, and so much more.

I frequently mention that we always need to be looking to other states to see different solutions to the issues we all face. States like California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey have systems that help local businesses. Using their data compared with HB 1200, HB 20, and my desire for a "craft-like" system, the following suggested framework was developed.

"AI" Disclaimer: The following is generated by a series of AI prompts and lightly edited by me. This is a framework of policy ideas and not intended to be interpreted as an official bill proposal. I will not let perfect be the enemy of good, and I will fight for any form of legalization and criminal justice reform for cannabis.

1. Create a Real Craft Industry

Three-tier licensing (like Massachusetts + California):

• Tier 1 - Micro-Cultivator: 300 plants or 5,000 sq ft

• Tier 2 - Craft Grower: 1,000 plants or 10,000 sq ft

• Tier 3 - Craft Cooperative: Up to 100,000 sq ft shared among PA farmer members

All tiers can:

• Grow their own cannabis

• Process it into products

• Sell directly to consumers

• Offer on-site consumption (like a brewery taproom)

• Deliver to customers

Fees: 50% reduced for microbusinesses vs. large operators

2. Prioritize Pennsylvania Agriculture

Pennsylvania currently has 165 active hemp growing permits. These farmers already:

• Understand cannabis cultivation

• Have agricultural infrastructure

• Know safety and testing requirements

• Operate in rural communities that need economic development

Give them first shot:

• Hemp farmers get priority to convert permits

• Further reduced fees for existing ag operations

• PA Department of Agriculture provides technical support

• Can use existing barns, greenhouses, processing facilities

3. Keep Ownership Local

Following New Jersey's successful model:

• 51% ownership must reside in the county or adjacent county where business operates

• 2-year Pennsylvania residency minimum for all owners

• No out-of-state corporate consolidation

• Reserve 25% of licenses for businesses under $2M annual revenue

4. Safety Without Bureaucracy

• All products tested for: potency, pesticides, heavy metals, microbes

• Child-resistant packaging with clear THC labeling

• Seed-to-sale tracking (PA already does this for medical)

• Department of Agriculture oversight (they already regulate hemp)

• No reinventing the wheel - use proven systems

5. Make It Right: Criminal Justice Reform

• Automatic expungement: All prior possession convictions cleared

• Immediate release: Anyone incarcerated for possession-only

• Social equity licenses: 15% of licenses reserved for individuals/communities harmed by prohibition

• Reduced fees: 75% discount for social equity applicants

• No questions asked: Past cannabis convictions cannot disqualify license applicants

6. Invest in Pennsylvania

Tax structure: 15% wholesale + 6% sales tax = ~21% total (competitive with neighbors)

Revenue goes to:

• 30% → Public education (rural schools prioritized)

• 25% → Infrastructure (roads, broadband in rural PA)

• 20% → Criminal justice reform programs

• 15% → Small business & ag development

• 10% → Drug treatment & mental health

How Pennsylvania Compares

Cannabis Legalization Comparison