The potential legalization of recreational marijuana use in Pennsylvania is a subject being bandied about in Harrisburg, but local officials aren't so sure it's a good idea.

Gov. Tom Wolf in a Wednesday question-and-answer session on Twitter said, “It's time for Pennsylvania to take a serious and honest look at recreational marijuana.”

He added that an increasing number of states have allowed recreational marijuana and Pennsylvania could learn from their efforts.

“Any change would take legislation,” he said.

Currently, 10 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized the recreational use of marijuana.

State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale issued a news release Thursday applauding Wolf's call to discuss legalization.

DePasquale said the move could be an economic boon to the state.

“Regulating and taxing marijuana would bring in at least $580 million in revenue annually,” DePasquale's release said.

He said the revenue could be used for purposes beyond the state budget.

“This new revenue could be used to bolster opioid treatment and provide greater access to health care for veterans,” he said.

DePasquale said a 14-page special report noted that an average of 8.38 percent of the state's adults age 21 and older, or nearly 800,000 people, currently use marijuana monthly.

He said a recent Gallup survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of adults in the United States favor legalization at the national level.

“It's simply time for policy to catch up with public opinion,” DePasquale said.

But Sheriff Mike Slupe said he has concerns about the legalization of recreational use.

“It is proven to be a gateway to other, more potent forms of drug use,” Slupe said.

Slupe said he can't picture residents using marijuana in public places as others go about the business of daily life.

“I don't think it's a good idea,” he said.

Sheriffs in Colorado, where recreational use is legal, are reporting that the move “is not working out how everyone thought it was going to work out,” Slupe said.

He worries about increased driving under the influence cases and public safety work for already-busy police in the county as well.

“(Duties resulting from legalization) would be paramount for law enforcement,” Slupe said.

County District Attorney Rich Goldinger said he is aligned with the state District Attorneys Association's stance on the matter.

“I am opposed to it,” Goldinger said. “I think that there are studies from other states that show that while they can tax the drug, there are many ancillary issues that come with it.”

He said one report from Colorado said DUI arrests and homelessness had increased since the legalization of recreational use. The report also said younger teens are using it.

“If it's legalized, it will be more accessible to young people,” Goldinger said.

Goldinger said he doesn't plan on changing his opinion that recreational marijuana use should not be legalized.

“Until I see some studies that say this is a good thing, I am going to be opposed to it,” he said. “It's a tax reach.”

Stan Kosciuszko, president of the county Chamber of Commerce, said other chambers in the region have held symposiums on the economic and societal impact of legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

He said his chamber has not yet researched the data, crime statistics, increased use of opioids and other impacts that might have accompanied the legalization of recreational marijuana in other states.

“The (chamber's board of directors) hasn't discussed it,” Kosciuszko said, “but the matter will definitely be on the agenda for the new board chair in 2019.”

One question Kosciuszko has about legalization of recreational use is how it would effect employees, particularly in the many companies that have drug testing policies in place.

Goldinger summed up the thoughts of all involved in the potential legalization of recreational marijuana use in Pennsylvania: “This will be an interesting battle,” he said.