May. 05, 2025
HARRISBURG – Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa (R-Fayette) issued this statement following the introduction of House Bill 1200, which would legalize and regulate recreational marijuana, on Sunday, May 4:
“This weekend, the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives announced there would be a non-voting session yesterday, Sunday, May 4. During that session,
House Bill 1200, a 173-page bill to legalize recreational marijuana across Pennsylvania, was introduced.
“Yes, you read that right, on a Sunday.
“This bill was referred to the House Health Committee, on which I serve. Despite direct requests from the Republican chairwoman, the bill language in its entirety was not shared in advance – not with members, not with the public. And yet, it has already been pre-noticed for a second consideration vote this Tuesday. That means all amendments must be filed by 1 p.m. today.
“This shady, rushed process is designed to ram through a massive policy change before members, stakeholders and the public have had a chance to review, discuss or understand the consequences.
“While Democrat leadership may technically be following the letter of the law, they are trampling all over the spirit of Pennsylvania’s sunshine laws and procedural rules, rules that exist to ensure transparency, deliberation and accountability.
“Sunshine laws are intended to ensure the public has a meaningful opportunity to review and respond to legislation, not to serve as a technicality that allows complex bills to be fast-tracked behind closed doors.
“This is not lawmaking. This is rushing, railroading and robbing the public of its right to know.
“This bill carries enormous consequences for our youth, our public health, our workforce and our communities. Something of this magnitude should not be fast-tracked with just a few short days for review and reaction.
“I am sounding the alarm because Pennsylvanians deserve a real voice and real transparency in decisions of this scale.
“Please contact your state representative and state senator immediately and urge them to oppose this bill and this rushed, opaque process.
“If you’re not sure who represents you in Harrisburg,
use this link to find out.
“The people of Pennsylvania should not be shut out of this process. Let your voice be heard, before it’s too late.”
Representative Charity Grimm Krupa
51st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: 724-438-6100
RepGrimmKrupa.com / Facebook.com/RepGrimmKrupa