Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman has initiated a petition campaign urging federal marijuana legalization, calling it a “vital chance” to reform criminal justice and boost economic opportunities.
The petition, distributed through an email campaign on Saturday, emphasizes Fetterman’s long-standing support for cannabis reform. “Legal weed means more revenue, jobs, justice, and freedom,” the senator’s campaign said, pointing to potential benefits for farmers, veterans, and small businesses.
Fetterman, who previously served as Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor, has maintained consistent support for marijuana policy reform throughout his political career, though his legislative activities on the issue have been more restrained since entering the Senate in 2023.
The petition effort comes as the cannabis legalization movement faces challenges under the current administration. When asked about President Donald Trump’s appointment to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, Fetterman acknowledged that “the legal weed movement has lost some steam over the last couple years.”
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The senator’s campaign cited polling suggesting that approximately 89% of Americans support legal marijuana in some form.
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While primarily focused on co-sponsoring existing reform proposals rather than introducing his own legislation, Fetterman has also advocated for expanding presidential pardons for marijuana offenses under military code and has expressed support for research into psychedelics for mental health treatment.
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