Make your voices heard in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, McKeesport, Bucks County, Cameron County, or Potter County.

With more than 60 tour stops done, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is nearing the end of his 67-county listening tour. If you haven’t already made your voice heard in person, these next 10 days are your last chance. The final listening tour stops will bring Fetterman to multiple locations in Philadelphia, as well as Pittsburgh, south Allegheny County, and Bucks, Cameron, and Potter Counties.

Let’s make sure supporters finish strong, and that elected officials hear from the strong majority of Pennsylvanians who support replacing prohibition with sensible regulation.

Pittsburgh (central Allegheny County)
Saturday, May 11, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Community Empowerment Association
7120 Kelly Street, 15208

McKeesport (south Allegheny County)
Saturday, May 11, 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Penn State Greater Allegheny, Wunderly Gymnasium
4000 University Drive, 15132

Jim Thorpe (Carbon County)
Monday, May 13, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Jim Thorpe Area High School auditorium
1 Olympian Way, 18229

Coudersport (Potter County)
Tuesday, May 14, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department
171 Route 6 West, 16915

Newtown (Bucks County)
Wednesday, May 15, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Bucks County Community College, Zlock Performing Arts Center
275 Swamp Road, 18940

Emporium (Cameron County)
Thursday, May 16, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Cameron County Junior-Senior High School auditorium
601 Woodland Avenue, 15834

Northeast Philadelphia (Philadelphia County)
Saturday, May 18, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Northeast High School auditorium
1501 Cottman Avenue, 19111

Southwest Philadelphia (Philadelphia County)
Saturday, May 18, 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
University of the Sciences auditorium, STC 145 McNeil Science and Technology Center
4308 Woodland Avenue, 19026

Northwest Philadelphia (Philadelphia County)
Sunday, May 19, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Temple University, Gittis Student Center, Room 200
1755 N. 13th Street, 19122

Southeast Philadelphia (Philadelphia County)
Sunday, May 19, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Horace H. Furness High School auditorium
900 S. Third Street, 19148

When deciding what you'd like to say, feel free to draw from our document on the Top 10 reasons to end marijuana prohibition or other materials. You may want to consider making a pitch for an inclusive, diverse industry, for allowing home cultivation, and for expunging past convictions.

Even if you're not up for speaking in public, you can still make your voice heard. Fetterman has been asking for a show of hands for supporters and opponents, and the governor's office is soliciting feedback on the issue online.

This is a great opportunity to build momentum for commonsense, humane marijuana laws. Don't miss your chance to let your elected officials know it's time to stop branding Pennsylvanians criminals for a substance that's safer than alcohol.

And please spread the word to help grow the chorus for reform.

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Last week, the Erie, Pennsylvania, City Council voted unanimously to make the possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana into a summary offense with a $25 fine. Currently, the penalty is up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both. The mayor is expected to sign the measure into law.

Once enacted, Erie will join Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, York, and State College — and 22 states and the District of Columbia — all of which have stopped jailing individuals for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Across the state, towns and cities are considering similar commonsense policies. Unfortunately, however, law enforcement can still enforce state law and impose criminal penalties and possible jail time.

Imprisoning individuals for possessing small amounts of a substance that is safer than alcohol wastes valuable resources and can lead to a lifetime of harsh consequences, including denial of student financial aid, housing, employment, and professional licenses.

To get involved locally, contact the Keystone Cannabis Coalition. You can find some background materials on decriminalization here. And please let your lawmakers know it is time for statewide decriminalization.

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Early this week in Pennsylvania, the York City Council voted to make the possession of small amounts of marijuana a summary offense with a maximum fine of $100 and no jail time. Previously, it was a criminal misdemeanor that carried up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both.

Imprisoning individuals for possessing small amounts of a substance that is safer than alcohol wastes valuable resources and can lead to a lifetime of harsh consequences, including denial of student financial aid, housing, employment, and professional licenses.

York joins Pennsylvania’s three largest cities — Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg — and twenty-two states and the District of Columbia, which have stopped jailing individuals for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Across the state, towns and cities are considering similar commonsense policies. The time has come for statewide decriminalization.

To get involved locally, contact the Keystone Cannabis Coalition. You can find some background materials on decriminalization here.

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While Pennsylvania patients and activists struggle with the state legislature to get a viable medical marijuana bill introduced, one local government will consider removing criminal penalties for possession.

Associated Press reports:

[caption id="attachment_9364" align="alignright" width="215"] Councilman Daniel Lavelle (PHOTO: Hadley Pratt)[/caption]

[Pittsburgh] City Councilman Daniel Lavelle is expected to introduce legislation on Tuesday. It would give city police the ability to fine people found to be in possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana or eight grams of hashish.

The ordinance sets a civil fine of up to $100 and lets police seize the drugs. It would not supersede state law.

...

He said in a release that the bill will help end the consequences of unemployment, lack of education, and being stuck in the criminal justice system.

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