It’s time to legalize recreational marijuana in Pa., GOP senator says: ‘It’s inevitable’

Republican Sen. Mike Regan, a former U.S. marshal who spent years fighting the drug wars, is now calling for marijuana to be legalized in Pennsylvania.

“I think it’s inevitable,” said Regan, R-Cumberland/York counties. “It’s common sense to think we’re going to do it at some time and it should be done smart.”

Regan’s bill would allow adults to use marijuana for recreational purposes. Gov. Tom Wolf signed the law allowing marijuana for medicinal purposes in 2016.

The legislation is still a work in progress. But in a memo he began circulating on Monday seeking support from lawmakers, Regan stated, “As chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee and a former member of law enforcement, rather than sit idly by and allow others to shape the legislation, I am stepping up to be a leader on the issue, as I did on medical marijuana.”

His bill focuses solely on legalizing marijuana and would allow anyone 21 years of age or older to buy and possess “a personal amount” of cannabis, which he guesses would be about an ounce.

Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman have been pushing for marijuana to be legalized to generate more money for the state and to address social justice concerns of people getting criminal records for smoking pot. If the bill is enacted, it would make Pennsylvania the 19th state in the nation to legalize adult use marijuana. [Read more at PennLive]