State Sen. Gene Yaw sees potential for revenue from legalizing marijuana; says to regulate like alcohol, tobacco

[[{“value”:”Mar 4, 2025

Reporter

mmaroney@sungazette.com

In his third budget proposal, Gov. Josh Shapiro has, once again, proposed legalizing recreational marijuana and a state senator who spent many years studying the opioid crisis while serving Greater Williamsport weighed in on the idea.

First, a quick review of what Shapiro said in his budget address:

“Twenty-four states have already legalized adult-use cannabis. That includes almost every single one of our neighbors,” Shapiro told legislators as he presented his budget on Feb. 4, adding that as much as “60%” of customers in New Jersey, Maryland and New York are from the commonwealth.

“Pennsylvanians who want to buy cannabis are just driving across the border to one of our neighbors,” he said.

It was a “hard” decision to make “as a father of four and as the former chief law enforcement officer of this commonwealth,” he said, but added that he “took the time to study it and understand the impacts.”

Legalization would generate $1.3 billion in new tax revenue over five years.

State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, representing the Senate’s 23rd District which includes Lycoming, Bradford, Tioga, Union and Sullivan counties, said he understood what the governor is trying to do even though he believes the proposed revenue from legalizing cannabis might be overstated.

“I don’t have a strong feeling one way or the other,” Yaw said, when asked about legislation to legalize recreational marijuana, tax it and regulate it.

He said he is looking at the issue more from a perspective on the history of alcohol and tobacco. He also supported it as a potential way for the commonwealth to bring in much-needed revenue.

“Alcohol has been used for centuries,” he said.

But when probation happened, bootlegging was prevalent, including the exploits of a local bootlegger, the celebrated Prince Farrington.

“We tried to stop alcohol with prohibition in the mid-1930s,” Yaw said. “That turned into a disaster, depending on which side of the fence you were on — there were some people who made a lot of money.”

The same holds true, but without the aspect of prohibition, for tobacco — which also is ancient in its use including those of the native Americans, Chinese and other cultures.

“With tobacco, we said we can’t eliminate it. We are going to tax it,” he said. “We are going to give people warnings about smoking and their health. Same with alcohol. I think the same thing in my head is appropriate for marijuana. We are going to accept it, regulate it and tax it. Put it into the same category as alcohol and tobacco.”

Asked about his concerns with legalizing recreational marijuana — which some contend is a “gateway” to use of harder drugs, Yaw was more reflective and shared his findings while working with the Center for Rural Pennsylvania on the national opioid crisis.

And one of the things he found out was that everyone is different when it comes to being able to handle narcotics.

“You may be able to take a regiment of opioids and another person unable to manage that without becoming addicted,” he said. “Some take them and open receptors in the brain and become addicted in as little as 10 days.”

For a majority of people, that does not happen, he added, but it does for still a significant number.

Thirty-two active growers are ready for the passage of the law in the commonwealth, according to the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition, a nonprofit trade organization that advocates for safe cannabis use and sensible policy. Also, 200 dispensaries employ 25,000 workers.

“}]] In his third budget proposal, Gov. Josh Shapiro has, once again, proposed legalizing recreational marijuana and a state senator who spent many years studying the opioid crisis while serving Greater Williamsport weighed in on the idea. First, a quick review of what Shapiro said in his budget address: “Twenty-four states have already legalized adult-use cannabis.  Read More  

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