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PA Lawmaker working on legislation to make marijuana legal in PA

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Pennsylvania State Senator Daylin Leach says he plans to sponsor to marijuana legalization bills in the next legislative session.

The first legislation would be to legalize medical marijuana, and the second would be to decriminalize marijuana, even for recreational users.

The bill has not been written yet, but with states like Washington and Colorado legalizing marijuana for recreational use, it's definitely something that will be up for discussion in the near future.

York County District Attorney, Tom Kearney, said more needs to be thought about before an actual discussion begins. "I think it is really a risk/reward analysis needs to be done."

Kearney says that the legalization of marijuana has both risks and rewards, but working in law enforcement, he's seen his fair share of drug abuse.  "We here in York County already have the highest per capita arrest rate for driving under the influence of drugs in the Commonwealth."

If marijuana is legalized, that number would likely increase.

"I think we would see so much more on the driving while impaired by drugs than we're even seeing now," said Kearney.

So far two states have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and while many aren't sure if that is the way to go, some think legalization for medical use is a good decision.  "For myself… I could use it for glycoma. That would help me a whole lot," said Linda Miller, a supporter. 

We asked her (Miller) if she would use medical marijuana if it was legal. "Probably, yeah. Yes I would, I'll be honest, yes I would.  Lets put it this way, the government would make a whole lot of money if they did, you know, they'd be controlling it."

Others, like Matt Steffy, compare it to other substances that are already legal.  "You gotta look at alcohol too where if you abuse it, yeah, something bads gonna happen. So I'm kinda up in the air to be honest with you."

Governor Corbett says that he will veto any legislation legalizing marijuana, even if it only covers medical use of Marijuana. He believes that pot is a gateway drug and its use should remain a crime.

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