Pa Senator Pushes Bill To Legalize Mj.

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US PA: Leach To Propose Bill Legalizing Marijuana

 

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URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n075/a10.html

Newshawk: http://www.drugsense.org/donate.htm

Votes: 0

Pubdate: Tue, 12 Feb 2013

Source: Delaware County Daily Times (PA)

Copyright: 2013 The Daily Times

Contact: editor@delcotimes.com

Website: http://www.delcotimes.com/

Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1284

Author: Danielle Lynch

 

 

LEACH TO PROPOSE BILL LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

 

State Sen. Daylin, D- 17, of Upper Merion, discussed why he believes it would be beneficial to legalize marijuana during a news conference in Harrisburg Monday afternoon.

 

Leach said his bill would legalize marijuana for all purposes - both medicinal and recreational.

 

Leach said people would have to be 21 years old to use marijuana. In addition, he said it would continue to be illegal to drive a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana. People would not be allowed to smoke marijuana in restaurants.

 

Leach said people would be able to purchase marijuana in state stores. He said people would be allowed to grow up to six marijuana plants with three flowering at one time. He said people would be allowed to transfer - not sell - up to an ounce of marijuana.

 

"Pot may cause harm, but the harm is far less than that of alcohol," said Dr. David Nathan, a clinical associate professor at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

 

Nathan called on legislators to legalize marijuana, regulate it and tax it.

 

Leach said his bill does not specify the tax rate, which would be determined at a later date. He said the proceeds would go toward the state's general fund and legislators and the governor could decide where to direct the funds.

 

Neill Franklin, executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, also discussed benefits of marijuana legalization. He said young people are currently recruited to sell marijuana and this bill would move it into a regulated and controlled marketplace.

 

"Our neighborhood gangs survive off the proceeds of marijuana," he said.

 

Leach argued that his bill would not only make the streets of Pennsylvania safer, but would also save the state millions of dollars a year. He cited the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which estimated 24,685 marijuana arrests were made in Pennsylvania in 2006 at a cost of $ 325.36 million to taxpayers.

 

In addition to bringing in tax revenue, marijuana legalization would provide a legal treatment alternative for people who are suffering from terminal illness, according to Leach. He said he has plans to introduce the bill today.

MAP posted-by: Jo-D