Auditor General DePasquale Welcomes Boehner’s Marijuana Shift
Former speaker of U.S. House John Boehner joining effort to change marijuana classification
Auditor General DePasquale Welcomes Boehner’s Marijuana Shift
Former speaker of U.S. House John Boehner joining effort to change marijuana classification
HARRISBURG – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today issued the following statement on former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John Boehner’s effort to remove marijuana from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Schedule 1 drug list:
“It’s ludicrous that marijuana is currently in the same classification as heroin.
“Because of that stone-age classification, right now the Veteran’s Administration is prevented from prescribing medical marijuana that could help countless veterans who suffered injuries defending our freedom. That is unconscionable. John Boehner’s new-found support to remove marijuana from the Schedule 1 drug list at the national level could benefit Pennsylvania veterans.
“Because of the impact on veterans, I believe that Pennsylvania must move beyond medical cannabis use and fully regulate and tax marijuana.
“In addition to the benefit to veterans, if Pennsylvania does this correctly we can actually reduce teen access, grow our economy, reduce opioid addiction, and bring in critical revenue so we don’t have to raise taxes to preserve key programs and services. Conservatively speaking, Pennsylvania could realize over $300 million in revenue annually from regulating and taxing marijuana. It will also stimulate business and job growth in every region of the state.”
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