For Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, the recreational marijuana listening tour is giving government officials a chance to learn what Pennsylvanians want.
Fetterman made his way to McKean County at midday on Saturday, hearing residents in the Kane Middle School, before going to the St. Marys Area High School Saturday afternoon to hear from Elk County residents. He plans to visit all 67 counties before the tour is over.
Since 2014, a handful of Pennsylvania cities have decriminalized marijuana, and on April 17, 2016, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill making medical marijuana legal in the commonwealth. The conversation is now moving toward recreational marijuana.
“What’s interesting is what you think about this. That’s why we’re here: to collect this information,” said Fetterman.
At the start, he made it understood that the event was not about what he believed on the subject, and at no time did he criticize or encourage the speakers.
Attendees were to maintain civility, too, Fetterman told them.
“We don’t always have to agree on everything, but we should all get along,” he said. “I think that’s missing in politics.”
Fetterman added, “I want to make sure we have an atmosphere that no matter what their thoughts are they feel comfortable sharing them.”
After each speaker provided input, he made sure each said clearly whether they were for legalizing recreational marijuana, against it or undecided.
Almost everyone who spoke was on board with the use of medical marijuana, which was legalized in Pennsylvania in April 2016, their views on recreational marijuana were all over the board.
Attendees were invited to provide comments either by coming up to the microphone in the auditorium or by filling out provided comment cards. Fetterman added that people can also provide comments online.
First to step forward was Major Thomas Kerek, a member of the Kane Area School Board,
“I find it very problematic on how any statute would be incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania”
He was concerned about “unintended consequences,” in particular exposure of the drug to young children.
“I believe there’s no children at school that should be exposed to any controlled substance whatsoever.”
Byron Sutton of Eldred Township was not only concerned about keeping marijuana out of schools if it became legal, but also wondered at the reason why people wanted recreational marijuana to be legal.
“I don’t think you have to be impaired 24/7,” he said.
Chris Angell, retired Bradford City fire chief, talked about his 30 years in emergency services, during which “I was on thousands and thousands of calls involving bad illicit drugs,” as well as a significant number involving alcohol. However, in that time, he said, “I can only recall being on two calls directly related to marijuana” — and one was a false alarm.
Angell believes he speaks “for a silent majority” of emergency personnel who do not see marijuana use as an immediate danger. According to Angell, being retired, he felt emboldened to come forward to speak on behalf of those who fear they would put their jobs at stake if they spoke.
Similarly, Audrey Lane, who came from “a family of law enforcement” in Maine before moving to Pennsylvania, said law enforcement in Maine are in support of that state’s decision to legalize marijuana, as “it can be more controlled.”
“I think the opioid crisis is far more important to focus on,” said Lane.
Another person, who was neither for nor against legalization, wants to see the commonwealth consider issues surrounding recreational marijuana before moving forward. For instance, Pennsylvania officials should talk to Colorado officials to see if the extra tax income is worth it.
While some attendees talked about the jobs a new industry would create, others talked about the jobs marijuana users would be unable to keep.
Critics worry that legalizing recreational use would mean employees will not be able to pass drug tests to drive or use heavy machinery.
Meanwhile, one Foster Township man — an “unabashed” pro-marijuana advocate — brought up the positive economic impact of legalization, which would create new agriculture and new businesses.
Also, “We can stop filling our jails with people who don’t need to be in our jails,” he said, noting that many people would be surprised to find out how many people they know already use marijuana recreationally.
Joel Golden, who has worked as a drug and alcohol counselor, said one of the issues with marijuana being illegal is the marijuana laws cause problems for some people who are otherwise good people.
“Many of the people I have worked with were not of the criminal element, per se,” Golden said, explaining that for many who ended up in the criminal system, the only law they broke was using marijuana.
One man who didn’t say his name suggested that legalizing recreational marijuana could bring the cost down for medical marijuana. According to him, the cost of medical marijuana alone — not including the cost of doctor visits — is up to $200 a month.
Another concern for some critics was marijuana’s reputation as a gateway drug.
Others disputed the truth of that reputation, such as one man said that if marijuana had been legal when he was younger, he probably would never have tried cocaine. He was concerned that the current lack of regulation on marijuana meant that dealers could mix more dangerous substances with marijuana.
One man invited critics of marijuana users to try it before making judgements about its danger. He believes they would be surprised that, “Guess what, you’re not flying off to the moon.”
Fetterman ended the event by asking people to raise their hand to indicate whether they favored, opposed or were middle-of-the-road regarding recreational marijuana.
Large numbers identified as being either for or against legalizing marijuana, but only a handful indicated they were unsure.
Pennsylvanians can submit feedback on recreational marijuana at www.governor.pa.gov/recreational-marijuana-feedback/
Results for each county will be posted online once the listening tour concludes, according to Fetterman.
