A Pennsylvania senator wants to give voters a say in the debate over recreational marijuana.
State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny, Westmoreland) says he will introduce legislation to put a non-binding referendum on the ballot in this November’s general election.
Brewster said the ballot question would be for informational purposes. He said the vote would indicate how much public support there is for legalizing marijuana.
“Citizens should have an avenue to express their opinion on whether marijuana should be legalized,” Brewster said in a statement. “Putting marijuana on the ballot will serve as an information tool that can help lawmakers gauge the views of all citizens.”
Brewster said the referendum would likely come before the General Assembly considers whether marijuana should be legalized.
“Lawmakers need to focus on how we can best consider legalization,” he said. “One of the best ways is to ensure that members are well-informed about the views of their constituents.”