Residents at forum support legalizing marijuana
Residents at forum back legalizing marijuana
READING >> The question of whether Berks County residents want Pennsylvania to legalize recreational use of marijuana came down to a show of hands.
When Lt. Gov. John Fetterman asked more than 300 residents who attended his listening tour in Reading April 9, almost every hand in the room went up.
Fetterman, a longtime proponent of legalizing marijuana, is on a 67-county tour of Pennsylvania to see where residents stand on the issue. Berks County was the 34th stop on his tour, which came to the Red Knight Accelerated Academy in Reading.
The use of medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania, 32 other states and Washington, D.C., but only 10 states plus Washington, D.C., have legalized recreational marijuana.
Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale’s 2018 report projected that if Pennsylvania legalizes and regulates marijuana usage, it could generate $581 million annually in tax revenue.
Fetterman, who was born in Reading Hospital and attended Albright College in Reading for his undergraduate degree, began his opening remarks by saying,”Coming to Reading is like coming back home.”
Speaking to a crowd of over 300 attendees, Fetterman thanked the residents for attending.
“It’s my job to be here. It’s not your job to be here. You came out to talk about this important issue. You are safe and free to share you views. So, I ask that if you hear something you like, feel free to applaud. If you hear something you disagree with, please, no booing, no jeering.”
Fetterman was joined at the forum by three area state lawmakers, Sen. Judy Schwank, Rep. Mark Gillen and Rep. Mark Rozzi.
Gillen, a Republican who represents portions of southern Berks County, said: “I want John to come back to Berks County on property tax elimination,” which drew a large round of applause.
When the applause died down, Fetterman joked, “The next time I come back, it will be for “What’s better — Sheetz or Wawa?”
Attendees who wanted to speak were asked to line up behind two microphones and limit their speaking time to 90 seconds. For those who did not wish to speak publicly, comment cards were provided.
Pennsylvania residents were also encouraged to weigh in online at https:// www.governor.pa.gov/recreational-marijuana-feedback/
The speakers consisted of men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, parents and young adults, a physician and a biker.
Of the 45 citizen speakers, 37 were in favor of recreational marijuana legalization, five were opposed, and two were for medical use only, and one speaker remained undecided on the issue.
Jessica Young, a 25-yearold who was on her way to become a jockey, took the microphone and explained that she received a DUI, lost her job, and was forced to admit that she was an addict after using marijuana to treat her pain from a broken back.
“I’m not a criminal, I just use it (marijuana) for pain,” she said. “I’m 25 years old and this is going to be on my record forever.”
Fetterman encouraged Young and others with small possession criminal records to apply for a pardon and explained that her arrest “doesn’t have to punish you for life.”
Balasios Lahaniatis of Reading was the only undecided person to speak at the forum.
“Will you be able to grow it in your garden like lettuce? Will there be dealers on the streets?” Lahaniatis said, adding “I’m concerned about it (marijuana) being marketed to children.”
Bill Ayers of Dickson City in Lackawanna County, represented Bikers For Justice, and explained that the group has been doing research on marijuana legalization for three years.
Ayers implored the representatives to “listen to the majority of your constituents. Legislators are suppose to do the will of the people — they want their freedom respected”
Paul Skvarla of Reading was one of the few people to speak against cannabis decriminalization. “I’m OK with medical marijuana use, but is not OK with legalized recreational use,” he said.
Emily Velez, 18, was born with cancer, diagnosed with Retinal Glaucoma and is legally blind. She smokes marijuana to relieve pain.
“Doctors put you on Ativan and Zoloft — they are the gateway drugs,” she said
Luke Shultz of Bernville said, “I support the full and complete legalization of the cannabis plant. I believe it should be regulated like tomatoes and peppers that I grow in my garden I believe it is my natural right as a person of this earth, to grow, and use plants. If you don’t want to use cannabis, don’t”
Although Fetterman asked repeatedly for all of the speakers to remain on the issue, several activists got up and spoke about the need to shut down the Berks County Family Detention Center.
Sara Alicia Huerta Long and others in her coalition shouted “Shut Down Berks!” when they got a turn at the microphone.
Fetterman’s deputy chief of staff, Shavonnia CorbinJohnson, said that all of the tour locations weren’t as lopsided as the Berks County stop.
A show of hands at the end of the forum had attendees firmly supporting the legalization of recreational marijuana.
“All 34 counties visited, every stop, was in favor of legalization with numbers varying from 100% support in Lehigh County to just 53% in Bedford County” she said.