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Pennsylvania’s auditor general stated he believes the state “should strongly consider regulating and taxing marijuana to benefit from a booming industry expected to be worth $20 billion and employ more than 280,000 in the next decade.”
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale made the statements Monday at a Harrisburg press conference, stating legalizing marijuana could bring millions for the state’s coffers.
“I make this recommendation because it is a more sane policy to deal with a critical issue facing the state. Other states are already taking advantage of the opportunity for massive job creation and savings from reduced arrests and criminal prosecutions. In addition, it would generate hundreds of millions of dollars each year that could help tackle Pennsylvania’s budget problems,” he said.
The state has already legalized medical marijuana for various conditions and is currently setting up a regulatory system. However, recreational marijuana has not received significant traction in Harrisburg.
DePasquale cited Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington’s marijuana regulation and taxation plans. He said Colorado has about half the population of Pennsylvania and has earned $129 million in tax revenue on $1 billion in marijuana sales from the new industry. Additionally, he told reporters that Colorado has around 18,000 jobs related to the marijuana industry.
“The revenue that could be generated would help address Pennsylvania’s revenue and spending issue. But there is more to this than simply tax dollars and jobs,” DePasquale said. “There is also social impact, specifically related to arrests and the personal, emotional, and financial devastation that may result from such arrests.”
The auditor general cited statistics that showed marijuana arrests down by nearly 47 percent between 2012 and 2014. He said the legalization of marijuana could help residents keep a clean criminal record and also decrease law enforcement costs.
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale speaking in Harrisburg earlier this year.
Credit: PA Internet News Service
In 2016, Bucks County had more marijuana arrests than Philadelphia, which decriminalized small amounts of marijuana.
“Should Pennsylvania join the growing number of states benefiting financially and socially from the taxation and regulation of marijuana; there are many things to consider, including details about age limits, regulatory oversight, licensing, grow policies, sale and use locations, and possession limitations,” DePasquale said.
“It is time for this commonwealth to seriously consider this opportunity to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue.”
