Letter to the editor: Nelson's stance on legalizing marijuana shows he's out of touch

State Rep. Eric Nelson is nearing 10 years in office, yet I believe he continues to ignore the will of his constituents. His opposition to legalizing recreational marijuana even when it could generate millions in tax revenue shows me just how out of touch he’s become.

Studies show that 40% to 60% of Pennsylvanians support legal recreational cannabis. This isn’t a fringe issue. It’s a mainstream, bipartisan solution that would create jobs, boost our economy and help fund education, infrastructure and public health. Legalization also opens the door to meaningful criminal justice reform.

But instead of engaging in serious policy discussions, Nelson continues to spout baseless claims, including that legalization will lead to a spike in vehicle fatalities despite a lack of conclusive evidence and successful implementations in other states.

Rather than recognizing the benefits, he seems more interested in pleasing his political donors than serving the people of Westmoreland County. As neighboring states move forward, we’re falling behind because of outdated views and misplaced priorities.

If Nelson won’t represent the will of the majority, maybe it’s time we elect someone who will.

Zakery Wiles

Greensburg