HARRISBURG, Pa. - Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is pushing for the legalization of marijuana in Pennsylvania. And New Jersey jumping into the game makes it all the more urgent. He hopes this accelerates the timeline for Pennsylvania.
“Anywhere between 30 to 40% of our population lives a half-hour drive or less from New Jersey. So, it’s something that we’re going to have to confront as well as the massive outflow of dollars,” Fetterman says.
A conservative revenue projection from the taxation of marijuana, he says, would see at least $5 billion over 20 years.
“All of these funds are going now to the drug cartels and the black market,” Fetterman says.
Critics say that while reform is necessary, legalization goes too far.
Fetterman recently announced he’s running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by U.S Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) next year. He says he plans to fight for the legalization of marijuana on a national level.
Republicans hold the majority in the Pennsylvania legislature. Fetterman says he hopes other lawmakers can join the effort.