State Senator Proposes Legalizing Marijuana

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A state senator is trying again to get Pennsylvania to legalize marijuana.   Saying there’s no real evidence that it’s a gateway drug, Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) says its cruel and irrational to continue the prohibition of marijuana.

Senator Leach says there’s no lethal dose of marijuana, unlike alcohol and keeping its use criminal is destroying people’s lives. He says for the last 75 years, we’ve been treating people who smoke a plant as criminals.

He says we’re spending about 350 million dollars a year in Pennsylvania arresting, jailing, prosecuting and monitoring approximately 25 thousand people for marijuana offenses.  In addition to saving money by legalizing marijuana, Senator Leach says the state could be bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars in tax money and ancillary industries that could be created by legalization.

His bill would treat marijuana similar to alcohol, limiting its use only to those over 21.

Senator Leach thinks in the long term, it’s inevitable that marijuana will   become legal, due to economic factors and demographics that are changing public opinion.

Dr. David Nathan, psychiatrist and a clinical associate professor at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, says he’s compelled by conscience to speak in favor of legalization. He says in his role as a psychiatrist, he’s seen lives ruined by drugs like pain killers and alcohol. He says he’s also borne witness to the devastation brought upon cannabis users, almost never by abuse of the drug, but by a justice system that uses a sledge hammer to kill a weed.

Neill Franlin, Executive Director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, says neighborhood gangs survive off the proceeds of marijuana sales because of prohibition.  He says it has not worked to reduce violence in our neighborhoods.

But the effort will face a tough road.  A recent Franklin and Marshall College Poll asked voters if they favor legalizing marijuana and 55% said “no”. There is support for medical marijuana, with 82% strongly or somewhat favorable.

However, Governor Corbett cited problems in California with the legalization of medical marijuana when he spoke about the issue recently on Radio PA’s “Ask the Governor” and called it a gateway drug.

city, downtown, buildings

State House Votes for “Green Buildings”

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New state construction projects would have to meet high-performance energy standards under legislation that’s just passed the House with a 163 – 32-vote.  Supporters call it a win for both the environment and the taxpayer.

PennFuture policy director Steve Stroman says “green buildings” typically use 20 – 40% less energy.  “A green building may cost 2% more up-front, but over the life of the building cost the taxpayer 20 – 30% less money, so they’re great investments.”   

The bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery), says the payback for a “green building” typically appears after four to seven years.  But if the state is building long-term, she says it needs to be thinking long-term.  

“We never build a building that we don’t intend to have around for 30, 50 or even 150-years,” Rep. Harper tells Radio PA.  “So to bake these energy efficiency standards into the building in the beginning makes sense economically.” 

HB 34 would require the Department of General Services to develop energy-efficient standards, which will be used when building or renovating a state-owned or leased facility.  Both the House and Senate passed similar bills last session, but the differences were never reconciled.  HB 34 now awaits consideration by the state Senate.

PA Reactions to Pope’s Impending Resignation

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Elected at the age of 78 in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was the oldest pope to be chosen in nearly 300-years.  Today’s announcement from the 85-year-old pontiff will make him the first pope to resign in nearly 600-years. 

Harrisburg Bishop Joseph McFadden

Harrisburg Bishop Joseph McFadden

Diocese of Harrisburg Bishop Joseph McFadden says the news brings a mix of sadness and gratitude.  Like most people, Bishop McFadden was initially surprised when he heard the news this morning, but notes that it’s not out of character for Pope Benedict.  “His first and foremost love is for Jesus Christ and his Church.  So, if he feels that he’s not able to carry out the responsibilities as effectively as he feels that he would need to do, I think he feels that – out of love for the Church – that he should step down,”  Bishop McFadden tells reporters. 

Pope Benedict made the announcement at a meeting of Vatican Cardinals, telling them he lacked the strength to fulfill his duties. 

Governor Tom Corbett – a Roman Catholic himself – was shocked to hear the news this morning.  “I was listening on the radio coming over here, and some people are already pushing the Cardinal of New York [to be Pope Benedict’s successor],” Corbett said on Radio PA’s Ask the Governor program.  “Whether a North American Cardinal can ever become pope, who knows.” 

A conclave to elect a new pope will likely be called for next month.   

The announcement from the Vatican comes as the Lenten season is about to begin, and Bishop McFadden suggests the timing is good.  “Lent calls us to a period of renewal… perhaps in many ways it is a blessing that during the Season of Lent the whole Church now can be focused on renewal.”

New Study Looks at Election Performance State By State

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How long do voters have to wait, can they register on line and how often are registrations rejected?  Those are some of the issues reviewed in a new Election Performance Index.

The first ever study of election performance by the Pew Charitable Trusts find Pennsylvania in the middle of the pack for both 2008 and 2010. Numbers were not available yet for 2012.

David Becker, director of Election Initiatives for the Pew Center on the States, says Pennsylvania needs to work to reduce its registration rejection rate, but it is doing well in its rate of accepting military, overseas and absentee ballots.

Becker says they hope decision makers and the public take a closer look at the index.