MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION gets first GOP sponsor in Pennsylvania

Two state senators have announced bipartisan legislation to legalize adult-use of marijuana in Pennsylvania.Sens. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) and Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) outlined the proposal Wednesday.Laughlin is believed to be the first Republican state lawmaker to co-author a recreational marijuana legalization bill.”People are being arrested for it, for something that is arguably no more harmful than liquor,” he said.The measure would legalize marijuana use for people who are at least 21 years old. It would also set up a framework to tax and regulate a new pot industry in the commonwealth.”This is going to open up economic opportunity for so many citizens, but moreover, we have farmers that are struggling,” Street said.According to the Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office, adult-use marijuana legalization can generate between $400 million to $1 billion of new tax revenue for the state.There is already opposition to the bill.The Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police released a statement saying it “believes that marijuana is a dangerous drug that poses a real threat to public safety and public health and strongly opposes any efforts of legalization at the State or local level.”Laughlin said many Republicans are also against legalizing pot but he’s hopeful they can find common ground.”What better way to do that than actually work together?” he said.

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

Two state senators have announced bipartisan legislation to legalize adult-use of marijuana in Pennsylvania.

Sens. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) and Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) outlined the proposal Wednesday.

Laughlin is believed to be the first Republican state lawmaker to co-author a recreational marijuana legalization bill.

“People are being arrested for it, for something that is arguably no more harmful than liquor,” he said.

The measure would legalize marijuana use for people who are at least 21 years old. It would also set up a framework to tax and regulate a new pot industry in the commonwealth.

“This is going to open up economic opportunity for so many citizens, but moreover, we have farmers that are struggling,” Street said.

According to the Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office, adult-use marijuana legalization can generate between $400 million to $1 billion of new tax revenue for the state.

There is already opposition to the bill.

The Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police released a statement saying it “believes that marijuana is a dangerous drug that poses a real threat to public safety and public health and strongly opposes any efforts of legalization at the State or local level.”

Laughlin said many Republicans are also against legalizing pot but he’s hopeful they can find common ground.

“What better way to do that than actually work together?” he said.

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