Hanger Releases New Video on Marijuana Legalization

Written by Nick Field, Contributing Writer



John Hanger has had some success in electrifying crowds, and now he is trying to extend that enthusiasm across the state in a new video.

The former DEP Secretary and gubernatorial candidate released a new web video today of his performance at a forum held at Temple University last November. Hanger brought the crowd to its feet with his plea for legalizing marijuana and the benefits it would bring to the commonwealth.

“It’s time to stop the mass incarceration,” Hanger says in the video to applause from the audience. “It’s time to legalize marijuana, it’s time to stop arresting African-Americans. This is a question of justice, there are $350 million a year going to arresting predominately African-Americans. African-Americans have been arrested at the rate of five times whites for marijuana possession.”

“Pennsylvanians are flocking to our campaign and our momentum is growing daily,” the campaign asserted. “We have far and away the biggest and best group of active supporters of any campaign, and that’s the most valuable asset that any campaign could hope for.”

Hanger introduced a three-step legalization process back in July that would provide for the regulation and taxation of marijuana by 2017. This proposal led to the Hanger’s campaign receiving the endorsement of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

Other Democratic candidates for Governor include Rep. Allyson Schwartz, State Treasurer Rob McCord, former DEP Secretary Katie McGinty, former Department of Revenue Secretary Tom Wolf, and Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski.

January 7th, 2014 | Posted in Front Page Stories, Governor, Top Stories | 7 Comments