Government Affairs Update – 1/24/14

Medical marijuana is an issue that is gaining more and more attention around the country. Several states, most recently Colorado, have passed laws making it legal to use marijuana in the treatment of several medical conditions. Marijuana is evidently the best at treating certain severe symptoms and side effects. It has been shown to alleviate discomfort from "debilitating medical conditions" such as chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, and more.

Right here in Pennsylvania there are currently four state bills pertaining to the legalization of medical marijuana, one of which will be discussed by the Senate Law and Justice Committee in Harrisburg this upcoming Tuesday.

This most recently introduced bill, SB 1182, is sponsored by State Senator Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) and State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery). The bill would establish the Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis Board and the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Control Enforcement, which would create and regulate Compassionate Care Centers where patients approved by the state would be able to obtain a controlled amount of cannabis in any form. This would include marijuana, cannabis concentrate and cannabis-infused products.

If the bill were to be passed in its current form, it would prohibit patients from smoking cannabis in certain places such as school grounds, public beaches and parks and other public areas and anywhere that cigarette smoking is "prohibited by law or by organizational policy," such as a non-smoking apartment building. However, rental owners across the commonwealth could be asked to make reasonable accommodations for residents with proper documentation of their disability to smoke marijuana in non-smoking units. Additionally, the issue of secondhand smoke in surrounding apartment units would also be raised.

This is an election year and marijuana use is a very controversial topic. It remains to be seen how far any bill can progress in 2014. More so, Governor Tom Corbett is opposed to the legalization of medical marijuana, despite the fact that, as is expected to be seen in Colorado this year, taxes from the sale of marijuana can generate around $70 million a year.

We will follow the progress of the bills in Harrisburg and will continue our advocacy on behalf of rental owners about this issue. 

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Education Funding and Taxes

State Representative Dwight Evans wants Pennsylvanians to weigh in on whether our state's sales, income, and/or business taxes should be increased in order to support public education.He has introduced a resolution, House Resolution No. 613, calling for a nonbinding referendum or ballot question, to be placed on the May 2014 primary ballot.

Representative Evans' initiative comes in the midst of continuing efforts on the part of supporters of SB76 which would eliminate property taxes to fund education, in favor of an increased income tax and an expanded sales and use tax. Sponsors admit the novel idea of eliminating property taxes is disconcerting to many and will need time to gain support. A referendum in favor of increasing taxes to fund education could make the work of eliminating property taxes a bit easier. On the other hand, a thumbs down would make their "heavy lift" exponentially heavier.

The Resolution was referred to the House Education Committee on January 15.

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2014 PAA Harrisburg Capitol Conference:
March 31st – April 1st

This is your chance to be heard by legislators. Help us tell Harrisburg what apartment communities mean to Pennsylvania. Join the Pennsylvania Apartment Association in Harrisburg for their Annual Meeting and Dinner on the evening of March 31st. The following day will include meetings on the hill with your legislators, as well as breakfast and lunch, compliments of PAA.

Click here to register or to find out more!
Registration deadline is Monday, March 10th.