Debate to legalize recreational marijuana continues. What does that mean for police?

by Gary Sinderson

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Will Pennsylvania lawmakers legalize the use of recreational marijuana?

While that debate continues, Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman want to pardon some who have been convicted of what they term, low-level marijuana offenses.

But what does that mean for police still enforcing the current laws on marijuana possession?

Law enforcement tells 6 News it’s not going to stop them in their drug investigations or from filing charges.

Wolf and Fetterman say a minor conviction shouldn't change a life.

“We both agree that a person arrested for a minor nonviolent marijuana charge should not face a lifetime of being unable to get a job, rent an apartment, or get into higher education,” said Wolf.

But in encouraging clearing previous criminal charges, is it a disconnect on the other end, the prosecution of marijuana laws?

“For the time being we treat marijuana possession cases as criminal,” said Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna. “Jurisdictions have the authority to issue noncriminal citations and we defer those cases and in large part they do not result in criminal conviction.”

It’s stressed the applications to pardon marijuana convictions aren't automatic, they'll will be carefully reviewed.

“Shouldn’t be looking forward to rubber stamps of their application, that’s the same review process that’s in place for our board will continue,” says the secretary of Pennsylvania Pardons, Brandon Flood.

Cantorna stressed that police will still be making drug arrests.

“Marijuana plays a role in the drug problem in Centre County. You cannot avoid the fact that we don’t want our young people smoking pot,” Cantorna said. “We don’t want people selling pot.

We don’t want those funds to be used to prop up other illegal and dangerous activities.”

Those interested in seeking a pardon, should go the state's board of pardons website.

Currently the pardon process here in Pennsylvania, if you can clear your record, it takes two and a half years or more. The governor is hoping to shorten that time frame to a year or less.