Pennsylvania Senator Daylin Leach (D-17) drafted a proposal to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for those 21 and older, according to PoliticsPA.
“Prohibition is a cruel irrational policy which is destroying lives, costing us billions of dollars and is doing no good whatsoever,” Leach said.
The bill is in its early stages, waiting for co-sponsors and to be referred to an appropriate committee.
Leach believes his legislation would receive bi-partisan support because it could save roughly $325 million in “criminal justice costs,” and it would add privacy for citizens.
State Rep. Mark Cohen (D-202) previously proposed legislation to legalize the use of medical marijuana, and will re-introduce it again this session.
Cohen supports full legalization of the drug, but "believes his framework for legalizing medical marijuana is a more realistic goal in Pennsylvania"
Leach says he is confident that his bill legalizing marijuana, or a similar version of it, will pass due to the changing demographics of the state.
For more information, read the PoliticsPA article here.
I spent 5 years in Federal Prison for a marijuana offense. The memorable day that I met with the parole panel, I asked, "When pot becomes legal, what will my 5 years spent in prison have meant?" Their response, "That is a very philosophical question. We don't deal with philosophy in this office." Case closed...go back to your cell. When the 5 years were gone, I walked out and never looked back. But, I know to this day, there are thousands of Americans still rotting in jail over a plant. I wrote about the escapades that led to my imprisonment...my book: Shoulda Robbed a Bank I admit, I had a great time. No one was injured, no one was killed, firearms were not involved...there were no victims. We were Americans...doing what Americans do best...living free.
Here is one of its reviews: 5.0 out of 5 stars... If David Sedaris had written 'Catcher in the Rye'..this would be it, June 30, 2012 Amazon Verified Purchase This review is from: Shoulda Robbed a Bank (Kindle Edition) I have never smoked pot in my life...nor do I ever care to. I read about this book in numerous Huffington Post comments. Thought I would read it because I know nothing about marijuana or the people involved with it. I am ecstatic that I did. Funny, Funny, Funny!!! The chapters are like short stories. Stories about unloading boats with helicopters, close encounters with law enforcement, traveling through the jungles of South America. The chapter about the author's first time smoking marijuana made me feel like I was with him...coughing. All of the characters were just a group of loveable, nice guys and girls. Not what I had been raised to believe...hysterical maniacs high on pot bent on death and mayhem. They were nothing like that. If you have ever read any of David Sedaris' books, and like them...you will love Shoulda Robbed a Bank. And the crazy things happening reminded me of Holden Caufield in 'Catcher in the Rye' and the way he staggered through life. The way the words are put together are like nothing I have ever heard. I am sure I will use many of the sayings found in this book just to dazzle my friends. A terrific read. I love this book.