Heffley Reacts to Lt. Governor’s Marijuana Listening Tour Stop in Carbon County

May 14, 2019

WEISSPORT – Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) issued the following statement in reaction to Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s marijuana town hall meeting held at Jim Thorpe Area High School on Monday evening. Heffley was in Harrisburg, where the House of Representatives is currently in session, and unable to attend.

“I appreciate the open discussion and public debate on the topic of legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania, but we are in the middle of an opioid epidemic, and I believe the state should be concentrating its resources to address the drug crisis, which is impacting every community in the Commonwealth.

“For example, there is still much work to be done regarding the Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to provide doctors with additional information on the abuse of prescription medication. We also need to establish a statewide bed registry, through legislation I am sponsoring, so those struggling with addiction can get the treatment they need when they are ready to do so.

“While I appreciate the lieutenant governor’s passion on this issue, all the data is still not in on the health effects of recreational marijuana use. The National Cannabis Industry Association is a huge lobbying group, but I think it is in our best interest to take a more cautious approach in legalizing a drug that may be detrimental to society.

“I also believe a decision to legalize marijuana for recreational use should not be made by an unelected board, but by the state Legislature, so it can be fully debated and vetted before possibly passing legislation that would so broadly affect our communities.”

Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717.260.6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
RepHeffley.com / Facebook.com/RepHeffley