Pennsylvania Senate Republican leadership has said adult-use cannabis legalization won't be part of this year's budget. Still, three bills regulating cannabis have been introduced in the past week, and some supporters wonder if the momentum could lead to action sooner.

Republican Sen. Dan Laughlin and Democratic Sen. Sharif Street introduced S.B. 120 last Thursday. This week, H.B. 20 was introduced by Rep. Emily Kinkead (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Abby Major (R-Armstrong/Westmoreland).

Today, Rep. Amen Brown announced plans to introduce a bill that matches the S.B. 120 language.

There are many overlapping details in all of the bills— such as overall legalizing adult use cannabis, possession limits, social equity provisions. Other parts of the bills have similar regulatory structure or idea, but input different details (such as how many home plants someone can have, or how many licenses are available).

Some small businesses have pushed back against the bills-- with fears that regulations will cripple them, and only allow already existing corporations to thrive.

Lawmakers say public health has to stay in mind when legalizing the industry.

"As Republicans, as small government minded people, we never really want to enact more regulations,” said Rep. Abby Major. "But when you have to consider public health, health and safety, I think it's important that when you're purchasing something over the counter— you want to know what you're putting in your body."

Legalizing cannabis could create a revenue stream for Pennsylvania's state budget— which is facing a structural deficit. There is still strong opposition to legalization from many Republicans in conservative districts.

The House did send a cannabis legalization bill earlier in the year, but the bill was killed in a Senate committee. Major says that she’s not sure the bills would be taken up in this year’s budget, but that having them available to discuss is important.