Marijuana Should Be Legalized, Local Legislator Says

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.