John Fetterman says it’s democracy in action. Republican state Reps say it’s a sham.
The Franklin County delegation consisting of Reps. John Hershey, Rob Kauffman, Paul Schemel, and Jesse Topper delivered a press release late last week voicing their opposition to participating in the ongoing statewide marijuana listening tour led by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman.
The four GOP representatives accuse Fetterman of not listening to constituents across the state, while calling the tour a sham and a “cover to push an agenda of legalizing drugs.”
“When the lieutenant governor visits Franklin County, what exactly is he listening for,” the four GOP representatives write in the press release. “Fetterman invited Franklin County’s legislators to join him on the stage as he “listens.” Although we commend the lieutenant governor on his willingness to “hear” both sides, we wonder if he will really be “listening.” We recognize this event for what it is: cover to push an agenda of legalizing drugs.”
“We believe this tour is a sham and we decline to be a part of it,” said in the statement.
The four representatives call out Fetterman for previously receiving endorsements from a pro-marijuana industry PAC. Fetterman endorsed the legalization of marijuana while running for U.S. Senate in 2016, but Gov. Tom Wolf has not stated his approval for such legislation.
Wolf and Fetterman have said the point of this tour is to receive input from everyone across the state on the issue, not sway opinion one way or the other.
The four representative representatives state that marijuana is still dangerous for the youth and likened it to being a gateway drug.
“Despite the growing acceptance of marijuana as a medicinal drug, incontestable research and experience shows recreational use to be dangerous, especially among our youth,” the statement says. “Other research clearly correlates marijuana use with the use of harder drugs, like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines. Marijuana users are more likely to consume alcohol irresponsibly.”
In a statement, Fetterman reiterated the purpose of the listening tour and encouraged those who have an opinion on the topic to chime in.
“This listening tour has been just that, a listening tour. What the Lieutenant Governor is hoping to hear is whatever the people of Franklin County have to tell him related to adult-use marijuana,” said Christina Kauffman, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s Press Secretary. “Anyone who has attended one of the tour stops has seen that this is an opportunity for people who are opposed, in favor, or undecided to weigh-in, whether they’re expressing support or disapproval. It is not and has not been a forum for the lieutenant governor to express his position on the issue, which anyone can google. The purpose is to hear from the people.”
In addressing the joint statement from the Franklin County delegation, the spokesperson for Fetterman says he welcomes their attendance and said the events are completely transparent.
“Lt. Gov. Fetterman personally called and invited all members of the Franklin County delegation to the upcoming session, as he has with elected officials representing each county on the tour,” Kauffman said.
The press release from the Franklin County representatives writes that Hershey attended the listening tour in Juniata County.
The statement from Fetterman said he was encouraged to see Hershey in attendance at that stop.
“The Lieutenant Governor was encouraged by Rep. Hershey’s attendance at the Juniata County tour stop, where the representative got to see firsthand that these events are a forum for all people, supporting or opposed, to speak their minds,” Kauffman said. “These events are completely transparent and inclusive, and all are invited.”
Fetterman has addressed the topic on social media as of late as well.
Fetterman’s most recent Facebook post links to a KDKA article citing that 56% of Republicans think marijuana should be legal in a CBS News poll. Fetterman writes, “This is 100% consistent with what we’ve been seeing on our listening tour in ???? County PA.”
Most Republicans in Harrisburg are vocal in their opposition thus far to the prospects of legalizing recreational use of marijuana. Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre) said in December that marijuana legalization is “reckless and irresponsible” and vowed to do everything in his power to prevent it from happening.
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23 Responses
It looks like Governor Wolf is trusts Lt Gov. Fetterman just like he trusted former Lt.Gov. Stack. Governor Wolf is giving Fetterman the Mushroom Treatment. He has already decided that he does not want Fetterman to be his successor or he would not have given him such a nonsensical first assignment.
Legalize all Drugs Make them safe and Legal this will make less Crime cause it will be cheaper to Buy .
“You want to know what this was really all about,” Ehrlichman, who died in 1999, said, referring to Nixon’s declaration of war on drugs. “The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and black people. You understand what I’m saying. We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.”
– Nixon fellow felon John Ehrlichman
First comes the reefer, then the cavorting with negro jazz musicians! Franklin County says NO!!
Calling it “incontestible” does not make it so and there is a lively debate over causation versus correlation when discussing the controversial Gateway Theory.
Where you could more honestly use “incontestible” is the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change, but, funny enough, these members all have abysmal records when it comes to that. This seems to fit a pattern of scientific illiteracy among that crowd.
“incontestable research and experience shows recreational use to be dangerous [and]…clearly correlates marijuana use with the use of harder drugs” huh, Honorable cannabis scholars. Funny but that’s exactly the “incontestable” claim Corbett made in the face of over 90% of us who wanted medical. Recall he proceeded to become one of the very few PA incumbent Gov’s to lose re election, largely on his dinosaur stance, which cost him too many GOP votes.
Hey Franklin County, all 4 of those rep’s terms end in 2020.
Every reps term ends in 2020.
Ever been to Franklin County? Reps here are lifetime appointments unless the resign mid term because they’re “just sick of the dysfunction in Harrisburg”
You represent the people and the people have spoken.
Medical Cannabis has changed my daughters life. She has Autism and is now potty trained, less meltdowns, more verbal, can have conversations, and stimms less. If any of you think this anything but a healing plant, come to my house and meet my daughter. It changed her life and could be the number one treatment for Autism in a few years.
-Jeremy R Haloskie
You’re talking medical….already legal. We’re now talking recreational. Different circumstance. Healthy people don’t take prescription drugs for entertainment. If so, it is risky for their health.
Dusty old politicians have no honor and no respect. Losers who have no life and should be sent out of our country to China.
Fetterman is listening to the people. These reps could learn from his example.
I think it’s hysterical that a user has embarked on a “listening tour” about legalizing recreational marijuana.
Although Lt. Gov. Fetterman has publicly expressed support for adult-use marijuana (for a number of legitimate reasons), he is not a “user” of it.
Fetterman has said on a number of occasions that he tried it one time a number of years ago. If trying it once makes you a user, then 1/2 of all adults in the U.S. are users.
Jesse Topper? More like Jesse Bottoms, amirite?
I’m not sure if I would support another product being added to the list of vices humans can take up, but if these Republicans really want to take a stand – how about getting rid of tobacco. I’m tired of stepping over snuff and chew wads laying in parking lots wherever pigs decide to spit it out at. Cigarettes too – tired of the drain tobacco use puts on our heath care system.
These guys are acting like spoiled children. I guess they don’t care what their constituents have to say.
Once again, Republicans standing in the way of what the people in this country want. OUT WITH REPUBLICANS–VOTE UNTIL EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM IS GONE.
Like Gay Marriage, another issue Republicans are behind about because they’re overly sensitive.
But we’s got our guns!
What a bunch of dorks.