Kinkead introduces bipartisan bill to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis
Comprehensive plan creates well-regulated market to deliver jobs and tax revenue
Rep. Emily Kinkead July 16, 2025 | 9:57 AM
HARRISBURG, July 16 — Reps. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and Abby Major, R-Armstrong/Westmoreland, have introduced a bipartisan bill to legalize recreational cannabis for adult use in Pennsylvania.
House Bill 20 would establish a stable, well-regulated cannabis market that prioritizes public safety and public health, protects children from exposure, promotes social justice and fosters economic opportunity.
“By failing to legalize, Pennsylvania is sending millions in needed revenue to other states and failing to address generations of injustice done in communities as a result of the criminalization of recreational cannabis,” Kinkead said. “This bipartisan legislation was crafted with considerable input from stakeholders at every level and reflects the strong support for legalization among Pennsylvanians.”
Kinkead said the bill would boost local economies and create more than 30,000 new jobs, while also creating a much-needed new revenue stream for the state.
“Representative Kinkead and I have worked diligently to craft a piece of legislation that we believe both parties can get behind using lessons learned from the other 24 states that have already done so,” Major said. “Anyone who believes in personal liberty and fiscal responsibility for Pennsylvania should support the legalization of adult-use cannabis.”
Key features of the bill include:
- Independent regulation through a program overseen by an independent commission of experts, ensuring transparency and integrity in the implementation and regulation of cannabis.
- Strong regulatory guardrails that will help eradicate the illicit cannabis market and keep consumers safe.
- Justice reform in the form of a “clean slate” policy for those with prior cannabis-related convictions.
- Inclusive economic growth opportunities for small businesses, including rural, minority, female and veteran-owned enterprises.
- Consumer safety provisions regarding labeling, packaging and advertising to protect children from being targeted.
- Funding to assist law enforcement and local municipalities hosting cannabis businesses.
Kinkead and Major are pushing their comprehensive plan nine years after Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana, and after all but one of Pennsylvania’s neighboring states have legalized adult-use recreational marijuana.
Kinkead said that when Ohio opened its recreational market, most licensees perched on the Pennsylvania border so they could attract sales from Pennsylvania. Ohio’s sales were robust: In the first three months alone, Ohio collected more than $15 million in statewide tax revenue.
The bill, which has been referred to the House Health Committee for consideration, mirrors bipartisan legislation Kinkead introduced in the 2023-24 session with former Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Luzerne.