Lt. Gov. Fetterman brings listening tour to Pottsville to gauge interest in legalizing recreational marijuana
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL PHOTO
By Kaylee Lindenmuth
POTTSVILLE – A packed crowd came out to the Majestic Theater in downtown Pottsville this afternoon to voice their opinions regarding the legalization of marijuana in Pennsylvania in an open forum hosted by Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman.
The event was another stop on his statewide “listening tour,” as he plans to visit all 67 counties to hear public stories and gauge the public’s opinion.
“This county and this community is equally as important as any community across Pennsylvania, and we want to hear from everybody,” Fetterman said after the forum.
The discussion was strictly a public comment session, with residents providing their inputs and opinions, while Fetterman would speak up for clarification on either a comment or where the resident stood, if they were for or against.
Fetterman noted that the crowd at Pottsville was one of the more heavily-attended events with more participation than prior events.
“Normally, we’re able to clear every speaker in the line, but today, we were challenged to do that because so many people wanted to participate,” said Fetterman. “I think that’s further credit to the people of Pottsville and Schuylkill County who wanted to weigh in.”
Fetterman has added that all counties thus far have been for legalization, according to roll call votes taken by the audience after each event. Each margin ranged from slim to wide, he said.
“I expect that we’ll have counties where the room will be [against] perhaps, but thus far, they’ve all been [for],” Fetterman said.
Regarding why such a discussion is important, Fetterman cited similar discussions ongoing in other Mid-Atlantic states on the same subject.
Regarding the discussion in Pottsville, Fetterman said, “I heard some deeply powerful testimony on both sides, and it gives anybody on pro or con more food for thought, and I think those are the kinds of important conversations we’ve been having all across Pennsylvania.”
The first speaker in the session was Kelly Malone, executive director of the Schuylkill United Way, who began by reading the organization’s mission statement, and to provide a message on behalf of the organization.
“The Schuylkill United Way believes healthy living is a building block to a better life. While recreational use of marijuana is legal in some states, we don’t know enough about the addictive properties and adverse effects associated with recreational use,” Malone read from a prepared statement. “We believe legalization of recreational marijuana would be counterproductive to the mission and goals of the Schuylkill United Way, its partner agencies, and those that are served by our organizations.”
“Has recreational marijuana use led to anyone’s ability to gain and sustain meaningful employment, be a better mother or father, or be a better contributor to the wider community? We believe these are questions that need to be considered and not rushed over by the excitement of initial economic benefits and easements of certain law enforcement efforts,” said Malone. “The impact of recreational marijuana on the mental and physical health of our fellow Pennsylvanians needs to be at the forefront of this decision and as such must not be undertaken without adequate evaluation.”
Rick Mullery, Shenandoah, stepped up to the microphone to show support for legalization.
“I’m totally pro, it’s been a long time coming,” said Mullery. “New York, New Jersey, they’re going to legalize it. They’re going to get the revenue, and if we want it, we’re going to go over there, so we may as well put the tax dollars in Pennsylvania.”
Paul Domalakes, Frackville, spoke out against the potential legalization, based on research into scientific studies, he said.
“I was neutral on the subject until, after a proposal was made, I started looking up what the research was,” said Domalakes. “What was most important [to me] was, every scientifically valid study shows marijuana is bad. There are very very few limited uses where it does some good.”
Domalakes cited a multitude of studies before being cut off for time concerns, one of which was a study on adolescents done in 2011 in Florida, which he said showed the “greatest predictor of intimate violence was marijuana use,” which drew the crowd’s laughter.
One man, who did not identify himself prior to speaking, shared a story of a pain management routine which he says was greatly helped by the introduction of medical marijuana.
“I got in a car accident… the doctor put me on fentanyl and percocet, I was doing that for six years, and went to a medical marijuana doctor, he said I was taking enough to kill a 300lb man every hour, and I still needed more,” he said. “2018, I stopped taking my pills. I haven’t looked back.”
John Wronski, Mahanoy City, provided a prepared statement regarding his personal experience with medical marijuana. He noted that he lost both a mother and an uncle to opioid and alcohol use, and lost friends in a similar way.
“I believe that if this plant were available then, they would still be here today to advocate next to me for legalization,” said Wronski. “This plant doesn’t only save lives, it provides a better quality of living in general. I am proof of this. Access to this magnificent plant has done extraordinary things for me. This plant has given me my life back, and not only in terms of mental, physical, and emotional health, but my general well being has been improved overall.”
Wronski added that the only negative impacts he’s faced from use were small amount possession charges and other penalties from use.
“Legalization isn’t a matter of if anymore, it’s a matter of when, and why not now? The benefits would be tremendous. Job opportunities, economic growth, and a better quality of health and life for responsible adults who enjoy it,” said Wronski. “We need these benefits and opportunities in our communities, especially this one.”
A former marine, who did not provide his name, provided his first-hand experience in using medical marijuana to alleviate pain from injuries suffered in the battlefield.
“I never touched cannabis my entire life until my first week out of the marine corps, when another marine offered me cannabis. I said ‘what are you doing, man, that’s crazy poisonous stuff,’ he said ‘no, it’ll help.’ That’s all I needed to hear,” he said. “I’ve been using cannabis since 2009. I have a traumatic brain injury from getting hit with two mortar rounds and had a rock deflect off my Kevlar at point blank.”
“Having three hits to my head really has me in a lot of pain every day, sometimes my brain is swelling so much, I feel like I’ve getting blown up or shot up all over again. It is a living, breathing hell,” he said. I am so grateful for cannabis, I am so looking forward to the legalization of cannabis, and I’m so glad you [Fetterman] came out so I could share my story.”
Daniel Cunningham spoke, saying he’s against the legalization on the basis of taxpayer impact from workers displaced for failing drug tests.
“If I was legally able to do this drug, and I was random-drug tested, I’d lose my job. If I become hooked on this, and I can’t quit the habit, what happens then? I’d go to the state and say, ‘You, the state, made it legal. You have to support me with disability,'” said Cunningham. “In the meantime, the taxpayers are going to get murdered with taxes to pay for all these people. So I’m just against it.”
Timothy Houser, of West Penn Township, raised concerns for what may need to be looked at if recreational marijuana is legalized, specifically CDL licensing, as well as concerns for impacts on children.
“Those of you who think this isn’t going to filter down to the kids in school, you’re in total denial. I’ll tell you, if you go to any kid in any high school, they’ll tell you they can get beer, they can get cigarettes, they can get any drug they want,” said Houser.
Houser added that he’s against legalization until more information is available.
If you could not make it to the event in Pottsville, a form is available on the governor’s office website to provide feedback digitally, which can be found here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/recreational-marijuana-feedback/
Additionally, Senator David G. Argall (R-29) is seeking input as well.
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