York County News

The Senate Law and Justice Committee in Pennsylvania held a hearing on Monday to discuss the potential impact of regulating adult-use cannabis. The session included input from state and local officials, law enforcement, and medical marijuana dispensaries.

Chairman Mike Regan (R-31) led the hearing, focusing on public safety issues related to adult-use laws. He highlighted that many law enforcement officials have prioritized addressing violent crimes over prosecuting small possession amounts of cannabis.

“Obviously, marijuana is not new,” Sen. Regan stated. “It is already out there. It is already being used by millions of people – young and old, far and wide. But in doing so, they are putting billions of dollars into the hands of violent criminals, and they are risking consuming a product that could be laced with substances such as fentanyl, crack cocaine, embalming fluid or even mold, fungus, or other unknown pathogens.”

Senator Regan emphasized that without legalization and regulation, the black market for marijuana would continue to grow.

“That is why my focus is on bringing down illegal drug operations, providing Pennsylvania adults with a safe product, and keeping revenue within the Commonwealth instead of it going to our neighboring states with legalized adult-use marijuana or worse – to organized criminals, gangs, and cartels,” he said.

The Independent Fiscal Office has estimated that legalizing cannabis for adult use could generate between $400 million and $1 billion in tax revenues for Pennsylvania. These funds could support state police operations, crime prevention efforts, and after-school programs for disadvantaged youth.

Philadelphia area state Rep. Amen Brown (D-190), collaborating with Senator Regan on legislation regarding this issue, noted that regulating marijuana would improve quality while reducing the illicit market.

District attorneys warned that illegal drug sales often lead to violence but acknowledged multiple factors contributing to rising crime rates across the Commonwealth. Concerns remain about DUI enforcement challenges and the potential gateway nature of cannabis.

Medical marijuana dispensaries argued that regulation would help eliminate tainted products from circulation and assist law enforcement in identifying bad actors.

Senator Regan expressed gratitude towards participants for their insights during the hearing. He announced plans for another committee meeting focused on reviewing how other states have managed adult-use legalization.

“I believe my colleague Representative Amen Brown said it best recently that it is important for us to work with law enforcement on the issue of legalization to make sure we are not in conflict and to ensure the safety of officers and our communities,” Senator Regan concluded.