Gov. Tom Wolf recently renewed calls for the state to legalize marijuana for adult use.

And while polls suggest that many Pennsylvanians agree with him, he has failed to convince the Republican lawmakers who control both chambers of the state Legislature, including representatives from Carbon and Schuylkill counties.

“It makes no sense to me that we have a heroin problem, we have a tobacco problem, we have an alcohol problem, so let’s legalize marijuana. That’ll make everything right,” said state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-Schuylkill/Carbon/Berks.

In his 2021-22 budget address earlier this month, Wolf once again put forth the idea of legalizing adult-use cannabis.

Wolf noted that New Jersey recently became the 15th state to allow the recreational use of cannabis.

Another 20 states including Pennsylvania allow medical marijuana. The federal government however, still classifies marijuana as an illegal drug.

“As our neighbors move toward legalizing recreational marijuana, Pennsylvania cannot afford to be left behind,” Wolf said in his address.

Wolf wants to legalize marijuana to help generate revenue to help small businesses, and help communities which have been hurt by its criminalization.

In his address he cited broad bipartisan support for legalization, but polls have been mixed. The last time Franklin & Marshall University asked voters in 2017, 59% of Pennsylvanians supported legalization. Since then, other statewide polls have shown support to be as low as 37% and as high as 62%.

Failed before

Over the past two years Democrat lawmakers have introduced several bills to legalize marijuana, but they have failed without support from Republicans.

Knowles and state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, say they are opposed to legalization because they’re concerned it would lead to more marijuana use among youth, and serve as a gateway to harder drugs.

“I think for cancer patients, we can get them the treatment they need. But this broad-based promotion of marijuana, I just don’t think is healthy for society,” Heffley said.

Democrats have said that legalizing marijuana could be a financial boon for the state, creating as much as $600 million per year in taxes.

Knowles said he believes a more realistic estimate is about $100 million-$200 million, and it is not worth the negative effects that legalization would create.

Better source of revenue?

Heffley said a better way to generate revenue would be to reduce the pandemic restrictions on restaurants, and allow Pennsylvania’s economy to rebuild.

“I don’t see a huge revenue boost. If the governor wants to talk about revenue, the governor needs to get this economy safely reopened,” he said.

State Sen. John Yudichak, I-Luzerne/Carbon, said last week that increasing revenue shouldn’t be the primary goal when it comes to the marijuana issue.

“It shouldn’t be looked at as just a revenue generator because there are societal costs, so it’s something that should be considered very thoughtfully and vetted through the legislative process,” Yudichak said.

Increase in DUIs

Knowles said he would be concerned about an increase in marijuana-related DUIs.

Sgt. Jason Nothstein of the Walnutport Police Department said he has seen an increase drivers under the influence of marijuana since medical marijuana was legalized.

“I already have seen it with the increase of medical marijuana. There’s no doubt in my mind there will be a significant increase for us,” Nothstein said.

Nothstein said the legalization of medical marijuana has showed the value of officers certified as Drug Recognition Experts. They are trained to evaluate a driver for signs of impairment.

Under current state law, drivers can be charged with DUI if they have any amount of marijuana in their system, including medical marijuana.

Lawmakers have considered creating an exception for medical marijuana users because trace amounts of the drug remain in the system for days after it is used.

“My fear is people are going to be doing it, and not knowing their limits. It’s going to cause a headache out there for everyone who’s driving, and put everybody’s safety at risk,” Nothstein said.

Addiction possibility

Jamie Drake, administrator and executive director of Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol services said she opposes the legalization of marijuana particularly because it is addictive and more potent than in the past.

“There isn’t even a whole lot of long-term studies since that level of THC increased to see what are going to be the long-term effects on people,” Drake said.

She’s also concerned about the impact on teens. If marijuana is made legal for adult use, she fears it would increase the likelihood that it would end up in the hands of teens. Marijuana is the number one drug among teens referred to her agency, while adults are typically referred for alcohol or hard drugs.

“Regardless of which way it goes, we’ll plan and we’ll continue to provide the services we provide,” Drake said.