It is estimated that around 2 million Pennsylvanians regularly use cannabis (once per month or more). For the last few years, a clear majority of Pennsylvanians recognize that cannabis prohibition is an untenable long-term solution. Arrest and jailtime are clearly not the answer. Forced treatment is an equally bad idea given how relatively safe cannabis is and how exaggerated the effects of cannabis dependence are. Cannabis isn't for everyone. People should obviously follow their better judgement when using it, and those with real problems should never be afraid to get help. Cannabis use and any potential abuse should be treated as a health issues, not law-enforcement issues.

Pennsylvania is at a crossroads. It is looking increasingly likely that New York will legalize cannabis within the next couple months, and New Jersey soon thereafter once it sorts out its issues. Personally I believe that the federal government will end up removing it from the Controlled Substances Act or at least rescheduling it by 2020 as well. Either of which means (in addition to initiating the Sunset provision of Act 16) interstate commerce of cannabis would once again be legal. Pennsylvania should begin to position itself now to take advantage of this inevitable outcome. We’d stop needlessly arresting people and PA farmers would be able to grow and export high-quality cannabis. We'd also save and raise a substantial amount of revenue to fund the state budget every year. It would be a huge missed opportunity if we fail to act in time.

Governor Wolf is correct that now is the time for the PA legislature to begin debate of ending cannabis prohibition. Senators Leach and Street are about to unveil their brand new legalization bill; in the House, Rep. Wheatley recently sent out a cosponsorship memorandum for his bill HB50. Both of them should be given public hearings so the people and legislature can have a frank and honest discussion on the record. Just like the push for medical cannabis, education and intolerance of a perpetually failing policy continue to lead to poll numbers showing rising public support for legalization.

With Lt. Gov. Fetterman's upcoming 67-county town hall tour to discuss the issue, it provides the perfect opportunity for legislative support to rise to where public support has been, and start moving legislation. To see any movement though, the bills will need support from Republicans in both chambers. As of this writing, not one Republican legislator has publicly come out in support of legalization, although many support it privately. Whether this is simply a case of being too scared to be the first kid to jump into the deep end of the pool, or their leadership censoring them, I cannot say. What I do know is that once that hurdle is passed, this game is on. In light of NY, NJ, and the federal government making moves in the short term, if these legislators continue to be a bottleneck to progress I foresee them having a harder time retaining their seats in the next election cycle, especially after the town halls.

Pennsylvania can definitely legalize and regulate cannabis in a fair and responsible way. The time to figure out exactly what that looks like is now.

Derek Rosenzweig, of Warminster, is a former board member of PhillyNORML, the Philadelphia chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.