Letter to the editor: Legal pot is a Pandora's box

In January, Gov. Tom Wolf announced he was considering the legalization of marijuana and has sent Lt. Gov. John Fetterman on a listening tour to get input from state residents (“Fetterman’s marijuana tour stop in Greensburg draws large, divided crowd,”).

In a Jan. 24 press release stating his support of the listening tour, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said Pennsylvania could generate $581 million annually by “regulating and taxing” marijuana. He said the funds could, among other purposes, be used to reduce opioid addiction. Great point! LOL.

DePasquale said 8.38 percent of the state’s adults (21 and older) use marijuana at least monthly. He said “the tide of public opinion has turned,” as recreational marijuana has been approved in 10 states and Washington, D.C., with “public support levels more than doubling in less than 20 years.”

Do you think his mind is made up? Is 8.38 percent a majority? I think not.

Do we really want to open another Pandora’s box by legalizing marijuana when we are still struggling with opioid and other forms of drug addiction?

Which vice will be legalized next to feed the state budget pig? Prostitution? Pornography? Your guess is as good as mine.

John A. Waite

South Greensburg