PA Governor Calls For Legalizing Recreational Marijuana

HARRISBURG, PA — Governor Tom Wolf on Wednesday called for the legalization of recreational marijuana. In a press conference alongside Lt. Governor John Fetterman, Wolf urged state lawmakers to consider the legalization of adult-use, recreational marijuana.

The press conference was held in conjunction with the release of a report from Fetterman's statewide recreational marijuana tour. During that tour, Fetterman visited all 67 Pennsylvania counties in a quest to gather input on legalization.

“We now know the majority of Pennsylvanians are in favor of legalization, and that includes me,” Gov. Wolf said.

Takeaways from the tour are included in the report, which is available here.

The report includes a county-by-county breakdown of support and opposition, including the most common arguments received for and against legalization during the tour.

“We’ve heard you, and this announcement today is our earnest effort to bring about the changes you’ve told us you want,” Fetterman said.

Wolf and Fetterman said they are also asking the legislature to get a bill to the governor’s desk that decriminalizes non-violent and small cannabis-related offenses. Additionally, the pair pledged to work to create a path to restorative justice through the expungement of past convictions of non-violent and small cannabis-related crimes.

Medical marijuana is legal in Pennslyvania. Wolf signed the program into law on April 17, 2016. There are currently approximately 125,000 active patients in the program, and more than 1,200 approved practitioners.

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