Pro, or Against?

Residents share thoughts on ‘God-given plant’

The goal of the evening was civility: an “open conversation” with no agenda whatsoever.

“We’re here to talk about recreational, adult-use cannabis,” said John Fetterman, Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor, who stopped in Waynesburg Tuesday for his state-wide listening tour. The tour’s mission, Fetterman said, was to help the governor’s office gauge public opinion about potential legalization of recreational marijuana.

Gathered in Alumni Hall at Waynesburg University, the public forum addressed about 100 residents’ concerns and nods of approval for legalization. The event included discussion over the proper regulation and tax of recreational marijuana, the dangers of misuse and the philosophical debate over its ethicality.

Some residents feared marijuana’s reputation for memory loss and psychosis; others believed it beneficial for anxiety and depression. Some residents thought taxing the plant would bring valuable income to the state while allowing the substance to be controlled; others were skeptical the government could ever eliminate the black market.

Throughout the evening, speakers disagreed on whether or not marijuana was truly a “God-given plant,” as one resident referred to it, or just another “mind-altering” drug, comparable to alcohol, tobacco and ecstasy.

Many residents described backgrounds of drug abuse, including narcotics like heroin and cocaine, and expressed concern about marijuana being used as a gateway drug. Still, others with the same story reported that marijuana actually helped them overcome addiction to opioids. These residents approved of recreational legalization.

“Not giving it to the people is a gateway drug,” one said.

Back and forth, pro or against, residents approached the microphone. The crowd included addicts, educators, law enforcement officials, parents, grandparents and more. In total, about 36 people voiced their opinion to Fetterman, either touting the “slippery slope” that legalization would create, or praising the alleged health benefits of “the noble weed.”

One attendee was Nate Regotti, chief of staff to State Representative Pam Snyder. Regotti attended on behalf of Snyder to gauge the opinions of constituents in the legislative district, he said.

“We’re excited that the Governor’s office is listening to hear our opinion,” Regotti said. In a “small, rural area” like Greene County, Regotti said it is just as important to communicate with the public.

As of 2018, marijuana has been legalized for recreational use in 10 states. Medical marijuana was legalized in Pennsylvania in 2016 and became available in February 2018. Public approval for the drug has risen exponentially in recent years, which Fetterman said was reflected in his listening tour thus far. Fetterman said the public forums have been overwhelmingly pro-legalization, with the exception of Tuesday night. Greene County was split pretty evenly, he said.

Fetterman is stopping in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania, and he said his reception has been overwhelmingly positive thus far. With an average of 200 people per event, Fetterman said each one has been “completely civil.”

“It’s been really encouraging to see that,” he said.

Fetterman was surprised at the residents’ appreciation for his presence. Greene County commissioners and Mayor Brian D. Tanner of Waynesburg each approached the microphone to thank him for his consideration of the rural community.

“That’s our job; we’re supposed to be here,” Fetterman said. “This is what this listening tour is all about.”