HARRISBURG, PA—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) today applauds the Pennsylvania Senate for rejecting Senate Bill 49, which failed by a 23–27 vote earlier this week. The bill would have established a new marijuana control board—a structure the marijuana industry has openly backed as a first step toward Pennsylvania’s ultimate goal of recreational legalization. It would also have created a fund financed by taxpayer dollars to provide access to marijuana products for some residents. SAM extends its deepest thanks to the parents of its Parent Action Network (PAN), whose calls to legislators helped make this outcome possible.
“Pennsylvania families just won a real victory, and they earned it,” said SAM CEO Dr. Kevin A. Sabet. “SB 49 was never about medicine or public health—it was a foot in the door for an industry that has told us in its own words that recreational legalization is what it wakes up and focuses on every day. Lawmakers saw through it. We are grateful to the senators who stood firm, and we are especially grateful to the Pennsylvania parents who picked up the phone, told their stories, and refused to let Big Marijuana write this state’s future. The fight isn’t over, but today proves that organized, determined families can still beat the most powerful lobby in the room.”
“We are very grateful and hopeful, and we Pennsylvanians will continue speaking up, urging our legislators to say NO to the marijuana industry’s agenda. The potential and future of our state are at risk. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to Senator Scott Martin and others who continue to oppose marijuana legalization,” said PAN parent Monica DiLossi.
PAN parent Sarah Hudock stated, “From a family forever impacted by the harms of cannabis, your responsible decision means more than you know, for our family and many more in Pennsylvania. Thank you, thank you.”
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