Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) said yesterday in a Twitter Q&A that it’s “time to take a serious and honest look at recreational marijuana” legislation, the Associated Press reports.
The legalization question was posed by a member of the public. The governor also responded to questions related to the ongoing opioid epidemic, criminal justice reforms, bipartisanship, “liquor modernization,” and more.
More and more states are successfully implementing marijuana legalization, and we need to keep learning from their efforts. Any change would take legislation. But I think it is time for Pennsylvania to take a serious and honest look at recreational marijuana. https://t.co/LHOmYKzMyp
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) December 19, 2018
Gov. Wolf is entering his second term as governor in January. While he has largely steered clear of the idea of legalizing — having suggested time and again that Pennsylvania should take a “wait and see” approach in regards to other states that have legalized — the governor was a strong supporter of the state’s 2016 medical cannabis legislation.
Gov. Wolf will also be joined next year by incoming Lt. Governor John Fetterman, who is a longtime supporter of legalizing cannabis.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and several other Pennsylvania cities have passed local ordinances decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis.
A 2017 poll found that 59 percent of surveyed Pennsylvanians supported legalizing cannabis — up drastically from 22 percent in a 2006 poll.
Currently, 10 states, one territory, and Washington D.C. have opted to legalize adult-use cannabis. Furthermore, governors in neighboring New York and New Jersey have both expressed a desire to legalize.
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