Pennsylvania: Deputy governor calls for swift legalization of cannabis

Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman urges state lawmakers to legalize cannabis in order to reduce a large looming budget deficit. Pennsylvania is facing a 3.2 billion $ budget deficit, largely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

I don't know who needs to hear this jk I know who- but earnestly reforming our state prison system + legalization of marijuana could generate half of this COVID-19 deficit.

It would, however, could have other unintended consequences like justice and personal freedom.

- John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) July 2, 2020

«If only there were a widely consumed unregulated cash crop, left entirely to the black market, that could generate billions of dollars + 1000 jobs + help farmers,» tweeted John Fetterman on July 2.

He continued his call for cannabis legalization with local Pittsburgh media.

«Marijuana prohibition is a really minority view in Pennsylvania,» a declared Fetterman in a television interview. «A significant majority of Pennsylvania is in favor of legalization and I would simply ask anyone who is not if they are sure they want to pay more taxes.»

Fetterman said he believes legalized cannabis in Pennsylvania could bring in as much as half a billion dollars each year.

«There's already a thriving cannabis market in Pennsylvania,» he insisted. «Why not make it legal, why not make it safe and why not make it taxable to help Pennsylvania get back on its feet?»

A proposal to legalize cannabis is currently stalled in Pennsylvania's Justice and Law Committee. Its chairman, Republican Patrick Stefano, said he had several concerns about legalizing cannabis, including the lack of a credible way to measure and judge THC intoxication. His committee, he said, would need more information before it could vote.

«The bill to legalize cannabis for adult recreational use is in my committee and I don't plan to do it any time soon,» said Stefano. «We still have a lot of research to do.»