Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District, has introduced a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania for people over age 21.

Wheatley’s bill would build on the state’s medical marijuana program and allow people to have up to six cannabis plants, with up to three flowering at a time, according to a news release. It would also allow people to use edible versions of the drug.

Wheatley said in the release the most important piece of the legislation is its criminal justice reforms, including releasing people jailed on marijuana charges, expunging criminal records related to the drug and reinstating drivers licenses that were revoked or suspended in relation to marijuana.

“For far too long, the criminal justice system has unfairly punished Pennsylvanians, especially minorities, who are caught with cannabis,” Wheatley said in the release.

Using cannabis publicly and driving under its influence would remain illegal, according to the release.

The bill would also replace the word “marijuana” with “cannabis” in state code, to “stop the demonization of Mexican immigrants and minorities, who some Southern and Midwest politicians in the 1930s claimed were bringing the plant into the country to use as poison,” according to the release. [Read more at Tribune-Review]