There was a most interesting article in the Oct. 6 Butler Eagle pertaining to legalizing recreational cannabis. Not that any rational thinking citizen should think otherwise. Why, because politicians in favor of legalization are licking their chops in anticipation of harvesting anticipated tax revenues.

Gov. Wolf and his cohorts see the writing on the proverbial wall from exponential technology growth, anticipated revenue loss from gasoline taxes due to electric vehicles, and a depletion of a tax base from population decline due to our aging population.

Demographic research shows Pennsylvania’s population is flattening after nearly two decades of slow growth. The percent of Pennsylvania’s elderly population will increase to approximately 29.8 percent by 2030 from 20.5 percent in 2000. This does not bode well for property taxes.

In an article published by FOXBusiness, 2019 (Julia Limestone) reported medical evidence from Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar stating cannabis is completely unsafe for pregnant woman, due to a critical factor in brain development.

There are also numerous scholarly studies validating the negative effects of cannabis on adolescent brain development showing slower cognitive function and lower intelligence quotient. (Oxford Academic 23 February 2016).

Recently, articles are now being published raising concerns about CBD’s unexplored risks. Our herd mentality should make one realize, it’s really too early to just try anything that you get at the gas station promising a miracle.

Make no mistake, historically, the most authoritarian governments operate out of a selfish premise of control and will not hesitate to do what it takes to undermine the family. Bestowing another nepotistic benefit of fogging one’s brain to increase political income is not a prescription for a healthy society. Nor will adding an additional legal hallucinogenic substance to the citizenry benefit the commonwealth.

The governor and his assistant should, at taxpayer’s expense again, take a trip to the states that have acquiesced to the harvesting of new ‘weed’ taxes. As recently reported, California and Nevada are rated highly on the misery index by their recreational cannabis citizens…

Realistically, this really is all moot, since in 10 years, because of climate change Representative Ocasio-Cortez has informed us the earth will no longer exist as a habitable planet.

Dr. Henry Sinopoli,

Butler