State lawmakers held a hearing this week on a subject they never discussed, or even considered, for decades.

That topic is the possibility of legalizing the use of recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania.

With more neighboring states approving recreational use of marijuana, it’s thought that, eventually, Pennsylvania will join those states.

But how best to do it? That was the focus of a House health committee hearing this week, where not everyone was on board with the legalization idea and what exactly to regulate.

“I believe this will be controversial. I believe the Commonwealth should regulate the concentration of THC in these products.”

THC is the active ingredient in marijuana that produces the high. Kent Vrana opposes legalizing recreational marijuana.

“When I was in college in the seventies, the cannabis I knew was three to four percent THC, by weight. You could buy products right now for medical marijuana that are thirty percent by weight; Eight times higher THC concentrations.”

Vrana feels if the state does legalize recreational use, then it should be grown in Pennsylvania.

He says that will provide easier regulatory oversight.

He also adds that the longtime thought that marijuana is a gateway drug isn’t true.

“I think that’s been debunked. Marijuana does not lead to opioid addiction. The data is pretty strong there.”

The concept of legal pot is gaining acceptance, even in Congress. One reason cited is the potential revenue of millions of dollars that could be realized in sales.

But many of those against legalization feel that the potential health dangers, especially to children, far outweigh any monetary gains.

More legislative hearings on the idea are expected to be held in the coming months.

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