Why Pennsylvania's GOP Districts Are Embracing Weed: The Cannabis Revolution You Didn't See Coming

Benzinga · 10/16 01:33

As Pennsylvania’s legislative session heats up, one question stands out: why are Republican-controlled districts turning cannabis-friendly? Polling data reveals strong bipartisan support for cannabis legalization across key competitive districts. What’s driving this change?

A deeper look at economic distress, poverty and the opioid epidemic in these areas could hold the answer and offer a roadmap for other red states grappling with similar issues. With Pennsylvania being a critical swing state in national elections, the outcome of this issue may have broader political implications.

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Voter Support Across Party Lines

According to surveys conducted by Cygnal and Responsible PA, a clear majority in districts like HD 44 (Allegheny County) and HD 18 (Bucks County) support cannabis legalization.

In HD 44, 67% of voters back legal and regulated cannabis, including 56% of Republicans. Similarly, 68% of voters in HD 18 support adult-use cannabis, with 55% of Republicans in favor.

Even in traditionally conservative areas like Beaver County (HD 16), strong support reaches 72%, reflecting widespread public approval.

Interestingly, the support transcends party lines, with voters citing economic growth, public safety, and criminal justice reform as top reasons for legalization. More than half of voters in HD 44 and HD 18 believe that passing cannabis reform this session is “crucial” for stimulating local economies.

But why is this happening in these conservative strongholds?

Economic Struggles And The Opioid Crisis: Key Drivers?

Beyond the polling data, a closer look at these districts’ economic and social conditions paints a clearer picture of why cannabis legalization is gaining traction.

Beaver County, which shows high support for cannabis, faces a poverty rate of 11.3%, while Luzerne County (HD 118) has a poverty rate of 13.4%. The opioid epidemic also looms large.

Pennsylvania has been one of the states hardest hit by the opioid epidemic, with an overdose death rate of 44.3 per 100,000 people, among the highest in the U.S., according to the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank. This crisis has deeply affected the labor force, particularly in regions already suffering from economic decline.

Many of these areas have seen significant drops in workforce participation, especially among men, as addiction further limits job opportunities. These intertwined issues of addiction and unemployment highlight why distressed regions might view cannabis legalization as a potential solution for both economic growth and harm reduction

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), opioid-related deaths increase by 3.6% for every one-percentage-point rise in unemployment. Pennsylvania ranks among the states most affected by opioid addiction, particularly in rural and economically distressed areas like Beaver County.

In regions where traditional healthcare options are out of reach, residents could be seeing cannabis as a safer, cost-effective alternative for pain management.

Fleeing Sales

Many voters in these districts travel to nearby states like New Jersey and New York to buy cannabis, highlighting an economic drain. Pennsylvania is missing out on both tax revenue and consumer dollars by keeping cannabis illegal while neighboring states benefit.

Presidential And State House Polling Context

The polls also show that cannabis legalization is becoming a pivotal issue in Pennsylvania's competitive political landscape.

The surveys conducted by Responsible PA, show tight races, with 49% supporting Trump versus 47% for Harris in HD 44, and similarly close margins in other districts. Despite these tight races, bipartisan support for cannabis is rising.

Polling reveals that nearly one-third of voters in HD 44 said they'd be more likely to support a candidate in favor of cannabis legalization. This suggests that cannabis reform could sway voters in key districts, especially in a state like Pennsylvania, where every vote counts in national elections.

Broader Support Across Competitive Districts

Support for cannabis legalization isn’t limited to just one or two areas. Across five key competitive districts—HD 16 (Beaver County), HD 72 (Cambria County), HD 118 (Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties), HD 144 (Bucks County), and HD 151 (Montgomery County)—more than 60% of voters support regulated cannabis sales.

These areas, which include traditionally conservative regions, are turning to cannabis as a way to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and reduce reliance on illegal markets.

This growing support is not just about personal freedom or criminal justice reform—it's deeply tied to economic concerns.

In districts like HD 151, 74% of voters believe cannabis legalization will boost the economy by creating jobs, and similar high numbers are seen across HD 118, HD 144, and HD 16. As these regions grapple with unemployment and poverty, the promise of a cannabis industry offering economic stimulus and new job opportunities is highly appealing.

A Model For Other States?

The story unfolding in Pennsylvania could serve as a blueprint for other conservative strongholds. By addressing real-world problems like unemployment and alternative healthcare options, cannabis reform crosses party lines and offers a pragmatic solution to economic and social crises.

With voter support building and a bipartisan bill on the table, it's clear that cannabis legalization is no longer just a liberal issue. It's a matter of economic survival in some of the state's most distressed areas—and potentially a model for other states facing similar struggles.

In the meantime, several cannabis companies stand to benefit from the potential legalization of adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania. These include Jushi Holdings (OTC:JUSHF), Cresco Labs (OTC:CRLBF), Green Thumb Industries (OTC:GTBIF), Verano Holdings (OTC:VRNOF), and Trulieve Cannabis (OTCQX:TCNNF).