When Will PA Legalize Recreational Cannabis?
Recreational cannabis is now legal to purchase in nearly all of our neighboring states. Can 2025 be the year that Pennsylvania decides to fully legalize as well? We’re turning to SpotlightPA reporters Ed Mahon and Stephen Caruso to figure out the political climate, the potential hurdles, and exactly how cannabis sales could even work. Like, would it mirror Pennsylvania's centralized alcohol sales? What would happen to the state’s medical program? And if legalization isn’t on the table just yet, could we expect to see any decriminalization efforts underway?
Notes and references from today’s show:
- A handful of Pa. doctors approved 1/3 of medical pot cards in a single year. Experts question the quality of care. [Spotlight PA]
- Prior misconduct rarely an obstacle for doctors in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program [Spotlight PA]
- Spotlight PA investigation spurs call for more oversight of who can be a medical marijuana doctor [Spotlight PA]
- Thousands more Pennsylvania medical professionals could approve cannabis patients under proposals [Spotlight PA]
- Legal cannabis likely won’t be in this year’s budget, but supporters say there’s a silver lining [Spotlight PA]
Learn more about the sponsors of this January 27th episode:
The Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
Want more Pittsburgh news?
- Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
- We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.
- Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Is AI Pittsburgh's Next Labor Fight?
Ever wonder how exactly our city employees are using AI…and whether there are safeguards in place to make sure these tools are being used...
Can Pittsburgh Hold Onto Tech Startups? Plus, Household Robots and Data Centers
Pittsburgh is getting ready to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, and we’re partnering with Public Source and Technical.ly to explore...
'Your City Could Be Better': How Denver Is Fixing Its Sidewalks — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
Just how good are the sidewalks in Pittsburgh? The state of a city’s sidewalks can be a good indicator of how healthy that city is — and...
Pgh's Next Epidemic? Plus, Trash Talk & Playoff 'Passion'
Pennsylvania's state Supreme Court ruled that skill games — like those poker machines you see at gas stations — are effectively the same...
Pittsburgh's Fireworks Boom
Pittsburgh's going all out for America250! We've got a Ferris Wheel on the North Side, a free Nelly and Third Eye Blind concert, and of c...
Bike Pittsburgh's Best Kept Secrets
Tired of sitting in traffic? Try biking instead! But if you need a pep talk to get on the road with all those cars, we're here to help. W...
ICE Drops PA Warehouse Plans. Plus, Sliding Bridge & Century III's Future
Earlier this year,ICE bought two warehouses in Pennsylvania with plans to convert them into immigrant detention centers. Now they're loo...
A Pittsburgher's Guide to Erie
If you're looking for a summer beach vacation but don't want to travel too far or spend a small fortune, consider a two-hour drive up nor...
The Best Local Potato Chips
It's backyard barbecue season, and no cookout feels complete without a big bag of chips. And if you like your summer snacks to be locally...
Debunking Pittsburgh Myths
As Pittsburghers, we have so much pride in our city. After all, we're the City of Champions and the City of the Bridges! But can we reall...