WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has long supported evidence-based public policy that advances public health, public safety, economic opportunity, and social equity; and
WHEREAS, The federal government has taken a historic step by rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, acknowledging its accepted medical use and significantly reducing barriers to scientific research, while expanding access for patients, including veterans who rely on cannabis as part of their healthcare; and
WHEREAS, Despite this federal progress, Pennsylvania continues to treat cannabis possession as a criminal offense in many circumstances, resulting in ongoing arrests, prosecutions, and incarceration that disproportionately impact communities of color and low-income residents; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is now surrounded by four of its five neighboring states-New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and Maryland-that have legalized adult-use recreational cannabis, creating an uneven regional landscape in which Pennsylvania residents routinely cross state lines to purchase legal cannabis; and
WHEREAS, This regional disparity has caused Pennsylvania to fall significantly behind other states, resulting in the loss of substantial tax revenue, job creation, and economic opportunities as consumer spending flows out of the Commonwealth each day; and
WHEREAS, Poll after poll demonstrates overwhelming bipartisan support among Pennsylvania voters for adult-use cannabis legalization, reflecting a clear public mandate for reform across political, geographic, and demographic lines; and
WHEREAS, Multiple bipartisan cannabis legalization bills have been introduced in both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate, providing the General Assembly with viable legislative pathways to enact comprehensive adult-use reform; and
WHEREAS, Meaningful cannabis reform must prioritize decriminalization, social equity, expungement of prior cannabis-related offenses, expanded patient and veteran access, and inclusive economic opportunity for small businesses, workers, and communities historically harmed by prohibition; and
WHEREAS, Delaying action on adult-use legalization further entrenches inequities, undermines public trust, and weakens Pennsylvania’s competitive standing relative to neighboring states; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of Philadelphia calls on the Commonwealth to pass legislation that decriminalizes cannabis, protects patients, expands access for veterans, and maximizes economic opportunity for Pennsylvania workers and entrepreneurs; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of Philadelphia affirms its support for responsible, regulated adult-use cannabis legalization as a necessary step toward justice, public health, and economic growth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby calls on Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania General Assembly to act with urgency and pass comprehensive adult-use cannabis legalization during the 2026 legislative session.
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