State Rep. Jake Wheatley knows the marijuana bill he introduced Tuesday will be a tough sell in the Republican-controlled legislature.

But he predicted the GOP would eventually sign on as more and more state residents call for legalization.

Wheatley’s legislation would legalize recreational use of marijuana in Pennsylvania for people over age 21 and include criminal justice reforms for people jailed on pot charges.

“I think it’s going to be a tricky situation,” he said about the bill’s passage. “We’ve heard from the Republican leadership. They don’t believe the state should move in this direction.”

He cited polls that indicate a majority of Pennsylvanians support recreational use and said a series of meetings being held in every county by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman would generate more support.

“I think hearing from their constituents in their various districts throughout the commonwealth will be very important,” Wheatley said. “I think there is a great opportunity now, especially when you are having a (state) budget situation where there will be a structural hole that needs to be addressed. No one wants to do broad-based taxes.”

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale last year released a report that said recreation use would create a $1.7 billion industry and generate $580 million annually in state tax revenue. It said polling shows that 8.3 percent of 9.5 million Pennsylvanians 21 and older have admitted using marijuana.

A Franklin & Marshall College state poll released in 2017 found that 59 percent of state residents supported legalization, up from 22 percent in 2006.

This is Wheatley’s second attempt at legislation to legalize marijuana. He introduced a similar bill last year, but it died without a vote when the legislative session ended.

Wheatley said the main difference is the new bill gives counties an option of assessing a 3 percent marijuana tax in addition to state levies. Counties would have to use the money for after school programs and to fund public defender and district attorney offices and programs for opioid addiction.

The bill would also release people jailed on marijuana charges, expunge criminal records related to the drug and reinstate drivers licenses that were revoked or suspended in relation to marijuana. Using marijuana publicly and driving under its influence would remain illegal.

This time around, Wheatley has more than double the co-sponsors at 27. Local supporters include Democrat Reps. Dan Frankel of Squirrel Hill, Ed Gainey of Lincoln-Lemington and Summer Lee of Swissvale.

Gov. Tom Wolf has said its time for the state to seriously consider legalizing pot. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto joined DePasquale last year in calling for legalization.

“I’ve talked to some of my Republican colleagues who are for the idea, but they want to hear from their constituents first,” Wheatley said. “I’ve talked to the Republican leadership about allowing us to at least have some hearings on the bill.”

Ten states and the District of Columbia currently allow recreational use of marijuana, and Wheatley noted that states surrounding Pennsylvania are considering legalization, including New York and New Jersey.

“The question really becomes should Pennsylvania wait or should we start building what is the best Pennsylvania solution right now,” Wheatley said. “All around Pennsylvania other states are building their solutions, so why should Pennsylvania wait? If you don’t like what we have in our bill, we are open to hearing other peoples’ opinions and options.”

Bob Bauder is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bob at 412-765-2312, bbauder@tribweb.com or via Twitter @bobbauder.

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