Rep. Abby Major: The truth about cannabis legalization in Pa.

My name has been in the news recently for supporting a cannabis legalization effort here in Pennsylvania. While this may have surprised many of you (and myself), I have had my eyes opened this year to the realities that we are facing here in the commonwealth.

Cannabis is already legal here in Pennsylvania, and I am not talking about medical. This may be a confusing statement, but have you walked into any vape shops or gas stations lately to see what they are selling? Have you seen the lighted displays or banners that say THCA or Delta 8? Do you know what that is? I can tell you — it’s drugs. It will get you high just like cannabis.

In 2018, the federal government redefined hemp in an effort to help industrial hemp farmers. There was much discussion about “rope not dope” and everyone felt good about helping farmers. Unfortunately, there will always be people out there searching for loopholes, and, boy, did they find one.

Under this federal definition, hemp is defined as cannabis plants that contain less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC. This makes it legal to cultivate, process, distribute and sell nationally without concerns for any product testing or age gating. If it was being sold as hemp as intended, without modification, there would be no issue. But these intoxicating hemp products only begin with the low-potency plants. Once harvested, or purchased from overseas, these plants undergo extensive processing with corrosive chemicals to extract the psychoactive components, which are then used in edibles, vape cartridges and sprayed back on dried hemp to smoke. In appearance these products are nearly identical to traditional cannabis based products. I have shared photos on my social media.

These “hemp” products are then able to be sold almost anywhere and with no age restrictions. And unlike regulated cannabis, these products often intentionally closely resemble commercially available food items, like candy, that could be mistaken by children with packaging that mirrors popular brands. This is just one of the issues this vast unregulated market presents. I have seen test results that show these items test positive for yeast and mold, heavy metals, pesticides and even fentanyl.

At minimum, the existence of the intoxicating hemp market renders any argument for cannabis prohibition meaningless, as we have already allowed this massive market for untested and uncontrolled products to develop. We must take action to control this dangerous market.

Conversely, medical cannabis is produced in state licensed grow facilities that are monitored 24/7, tested extensively and sold through dispensaries that ensure sale to patients and caregivers only — not children. Under legislation I am sponsoring, we will introduce those same controls and product safety measures to the adult-use market, a market that can and will incorporate tested hemp products especially for patients who prefer those remedies. And ensure that these intoxicating products are only sold in licensed dispensaries with very strict guidelines.

I keep referencing health and safety because it is the primary reason to legalize and regulate now. I know that most of the discussion around adult use is centered on the potential revenue generated by legal adult use, and that isn’t an insignificant point, especially when the alternative is a tax increase no one wants. But more important than any revenue consideration are the health and safety of our community and protecting our children who may think that they are purchasing candy at the gas station, but instead purchase a package of peach rings in which each individual ring contains 40 mg of intoxicating hemp — a high dose for a fully grown adult, let alone a child.

This is not a talking point, but a reflection of the reality we are living in. There is a growing cannabis market in every town in Pennsylvania. It is not the cannabis of our youth — it is being purchased over the counter. Our inaction ensures the continued sale of untested, unsafe products to our children. Have you ever wondered how our small communities are keeping all of these vape shops in business? Not to disparage all of them — surely some of them are doing legitimate business. But have you heard about the ones being raided in our communities? Two in Armstrong County so far this year. They are selling these products to our children.

As a state representative, I have to make hard decisions and take difficult stances, and this is one of them. My priority has been and always will be to do what’s best for our community. I must prioritize public health and safety and protecting our children, and, right now, I don’t see any other way.

Rep. Abby Major, a Republican, represents Pennsylvania’s 60th District, which includes parts of Armstrong and Westmoreland counties.