May. 07, 2025
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) said the flawed process leading to
House Bill 1200, legislation legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Pennsylvania, resulted in a flawed bill that demanded opposition.
The legislation passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Wednesday on a party-line vote of 102-101.
“The bill to legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania was introduced at the end of the day Sunday and then rushed through a committee vote on Monday afternoon, a move that stifled debate and potential amendments,” Topper said. “That flawed process led to a seriously flawed piece of legislation that creates an unnecessary government monopoly over the sale of marijuana, contains significant constitutional concerns, and fails to deliver on promised state revenue by cannibalizing the sales of legalized marijuana into new programs and state giveaways.”
House Bill 1200 massively expands government by creating a government monopoly over the sale of marijuana by vesting sale and regulatory authority with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, which estimated $260 million in costs to ramp up sales of marijuana. In addition, during the amendment process, Democrats unanimously rejected a Republican proposal that would have allowed municipalities to opt-out of having marijuana sales take place within their borders.
“If Democrats were serious about getting this legislation done, the process they used would have reflected that,” Topper said. “Unfortunately, this product was too rushed, too deeply flawed, and too far-ranging to garner any support from the House Republican Caucus.”
House Bill 1200 now heads to the Pennsylvania Senate.
Republican Leader Jesse Topper
78th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives