Pubdate: Fri, 16 May 2014
Source: Meadville Tribune, The  (PA)
Copyright: 2014 The Meadville Tribune
Contact:  http://www.meadvilletribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4671
Author: Jane Smith

CANDIDATES OFFERED MIXED VIEWS ON MARIJUANA POLICES IN 50TH SENATE 
REPUBLICAN DEBATE

ERIE - Three candidates for the Republican nomination for the 50th 
Senate District seat in Tuesday's election had mixed reactions to 
legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania for medicinal and/or 
recreational purposes.

Speaking at a debate Thursday night broadcast over WQLN-TV were state 
Reps. Michele Brooks and Greg Lucas, and Jane MacPherson.

Lucas said he would favor marijuana for medicinal purposes "in the 
strongest sense of medicinal" use. As far as legalizing it for 
recreational use, Lucas said he would recommend putting it to the 
voters on a non-binding referendum.

MacPherson said she would favor marijuana for both medicinal and 
decriminalizing the use of the prohibited drug. She said many people 
who use marijuana are now in jails in the state. Her theory is by 
decriminalizing it, it would not be as exciting for some people to 
use and could prevent addiction.

Brooks, on the other hand, said she is concerned about what gateway 
would be opened with the legalization of marijuana. She said she is 
watching what is happening in Denver, which recently approved it for 
recreational use and in California, which legalized it for medicinal 
purposes. She questioned what is next and said before any steps are 
taken to legalize it in Pennsylvania there would be a "very serious 
conversation" about the gateway to what it could lead.

Brooks, Lucas and MacPherson are on Tuesday's Republican primary 
ballot, with the winner most likely facing Michael Muha, who is 
running unopposed in Tuesday's Democratic primary. The winner of that 
election will succeed longtime Sen. Bob Robbins, who announced his 
retirement last December.

On the issue of legalizing gay marriages in Pennsylvania, all agreed 
they would not vote for that.

"I believe in the traditional definition," said Brooks, referring to 
a man and a woman.

"One man, one woman," Lucas said.

"One man, one woman," MacPherson agreed. However, MacPherson said she 
would favor recognizing a civil union for same-sex partners. She said 
two people who are committed to each other should have the same legal 
rights - such as hospital visitations for their partners as married people do.

Asked their thoughts about the fracking (natural gas drilling) 
industry in the state and what should be done, all agreed fracking is 
good for the state.

MacPherson said some people want zero control of the industry and 
others want 100 percent control. "We have to do both," she said, 
noting protection must be given to land owners and at the same time 
not stranglehold people in business (natural gas) so they don't leave 
the state. She noted counties should get the tax money on fracking; 
it shouldn't be sent to Harrisburg.

Brooks said the state needs to make sure fracking is done responsibly 
so there is clean air and water for the future. At the same time, she 
said Legislature would need to balance the rights of the landowners. 
She voted no to legislation which would allow oil and gas operators 
to easily pool adjoining leases for drilling purposes. Brooks 
believes property owners should not be forced into pools with which 
they don't agree.

"It needs to be done responsibly," she noted, saying there needs to 
be a balance.

Lucas said 40 to 60 years ago, a lot of horror stories were heard 
about various gas well drilling. He said improved technology has 
changed that combined with the regulations make it better. "It's a 
big cash cow and needs to be continued," Lucas said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom