I’m writing as your neighbor to urge you to support state legislative efforts to regulate the use, personal possession, and retail sale of marijuana by adults.

Never in modern history has there existed greater public support for ending the nation’s nearly century-long experiment with marijuana prohibition.

According to statewide polling data, 59 percent of registered Pennsylvania voters “think the use of marijuana should be made legal.”

The ongoing prohibition of marijuana financially burdens taxpayers, encroaches upon civil liberties, engenders disrespect for the law, impedes legitimate scientific research into the plant’s medicinal properties, and disproportionately impacts communities of color.

It’s time to stop ceding control and revenue of the marijuana market to unregulated and untaxed criminal enterprises.

A pragmatic regulatory framework that licenses production and sale of marijuana to adults — but continues to criminalize sale to minors — best reduces the risks associated with its use and commerce.

Please support efforts to regulate the adult use marijuana market in Pennsylvania.

Christopher Allaman, Butler