Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is asking lawmakers to legalize recreational marijuana to help the state’s economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Wolf, a Democrat, said during a news conference Tuesday that he wants to use tax revenues coming from the sale of recreational weed to help repair “the harm done to crime victims and communities as a result of marijuana criminalization.”
Part of the tax revenue would go to historically disadvantaged businesses, most of which are operated by those of black, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islander descent, according to NBC 10 of Philadelphia.
In a tweet, Wolf said the revenue as a whole will go to small business grant funding and restorative justice programs.
“At the same time, we must pursue policies that restore justice for individuals convicted of marijuana-related offenses,” Wolf said.
I’m calling on the legislature to legalize recreational marijuana, with the revenue going to:
? Small business grant funding
? Restorative justice programsAt the same time, we must pursue policies that restore justice for individuals convicted of marijuana-related offenses.
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) August 25, 2020
The governor signed legislation in 2016 authorizing Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program and announced last year that he supported legalizing it for recreational purposes.
“I think we’ve had a little more time to see what’s happened in places like Colorado with revenues, for example, that this might be one way to plug a hole,” Wolf said.
Wolf said he hoped the GOP-dominated legislature would support legalization for those who are at least 21 years old.
