Tuesday, November 3 is Election Day. This year’s elections will be critical in determining whether Pennsylvania will finally legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older.
We’ve put together a voter guide on where the candidates stand on legalizing, regulating, and taxing cannabis for adults 21 and older. It includes responses to our candidate questionnaire, along with past public stances on legalization.
Despite the pandemic, the issue of legalization has been front and center in Pennsylvania throughout 2020. At the top of the year, a House bill that built on a 2019 proposal to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana for adult use in the Keystone State was introduced. In May, a poll commissioned by the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition (PCC) and conducted by Harper Polling found 62% of likely voters in Pennsylvania favor legal, regulated sales of marijuana for adults 21 and older. Additionally, Gov. Wolf and Lt. Gov. Fetterman have been vocal in their consistent call for legalization to spur economic development caused by the pandemic throughout the year.
As I’m sure you know, state legislative races are often close contests that can be decided by just a few votes. I encourage you to first look up your state legislators here. Then, check out our voter guides for Pennsylvania Senate races and Pennsylvania House races to see where the candidates stand.
After you have a chance to look at our voter guide, please spread the word. If a candidate in your district has not taken a public position, we strongly encourage you to ask them these questions yourself! We would be happy to update the voter guide with their answers; please email DeVaughn Ward with any updates.
Don’t miss out on a chance to decide who represents you in Harrisburg and will vote on Pennsylvania’s cannabis policy in the 2021 session.
The deadline to register to vote is next Monday, October 19. All voters are allowed to vote absentee, and requests must be in by Monday, October 27. You can find ballot return locations here. Absentee ballots must be postmarked or received in person by November 3. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.