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WILKES-BARRE — State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale this week said Pennsylvania should strongly consider regulating and taxing marijuana to benefit from a booming industry expected to be worth $20 billion and employ more than 280,000 in the next decade.

“The regulation and taxation of the marijuana train has rumbled out of the station, and it is time to add a stop in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” DePasquale said during a news conference at the state capitol.

“I make this recommendation because it is a more sane policy to deal with a critical issue facing the state. Other states are already taking advantage of the opportunity for massive job creation and savings from reduced arrests and criminal prosecutions. In addition, it would generate hundreds of millions of dollars each year that could help tackle Pennsylvania’s budget problems.”

DePasquale said Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have all regulated and taxed marijuana in recent years. Washington, D.C., has legalized marijuana, but does not yet have retail sales. Other states are considering regulating and taxing marijuana, including Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland.

In 2012, Colorado voters approved legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana. Last year, Colorado – which has less than half the population of Pennsylvania – brought in $129 million in tax revenue on $1 billion in marijuana sales from the new industry that had already created an estimated 18,000 jobs.

“The revenue that could be generated would help address Pennsylvania’s revenue and spending issues. But there is more to this than simply tax dollars and jobs,” DePasquale said. “There is also social impact, specifically related to arrests, and the personal, emotional and financial devastation that may result from such arrests.”

In Colorado’s experience, after regulation and taxation of marijuana, the total number of marijuana arrests decreased by nearly half between 2012 and 2014, from nearly 13,000 arrests to 7,000 arrests. Marijuana possession arrests, which make up the majority of all marijuana arrests, were nearly cut in half, down 47 percent, and marijuana sales arrests decreased by 24 percent.

“All told, this decrease in arrest numbers represent thousands of people who would otherwise have blemished records that could prevent them from obtaining future employment or even housing,” DePasquale said. “Decriminalization also generates millions in savings from fewer arrests and prosecutions.”

DePasquale said Pennsylvania has already benefited by some cities decriminalizing marijuana.

In Philadelphia, marijuana arrests went from 2,843 in 2014 to 969 in 2016. Based on a recent study, the RAND Corporation estimated the cost for each marijuana arrest and prosecution is approximately $2,200. Using those figures, that’s a savings of more than $4.1 million in one Pennsylvania city.

Last year, York, Dauphin, Chester, Delaware, Bucks and Montgomery counties each had more arrests for small amounts of marijuana than Philadelphia. Those counties had between 800 and 1,400 arrests in 2015.

Tax time offers opportunity to

help state’s military families

Individuals filing their 2016 Pennsylvania personal income taxes can help Pennsylvania’s military personnel and their families by donating part or all of their refund to the state’s Military Family Relief Assistance Program.

The program provides grants of up to $3,500 to Pennsylvania members of the armed forces and their families who have a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control. The tax form includes instructions on how to donate.

“Pennsylvania citizens are always so supportive of the men and women in uniform, and this is continuously demonstrated every year by the donations they make to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program while completing their taxes,” said Brig. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general. “It may be a simple check-off on a tax form, but that seemingly small gesture goes a long way toward helping a military family persevere during trying times.”

Since the program began in 2006, more than $1.71 million has been donated by individuals filing their Pennsylvania personal income tax returns and through private donations.

Members of the armed forces who are residents of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for assistance while they are serving on active duty for 30 or more consecutive days with the Army, Army Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, or the Pennsylvania Army or Air National Guard.

All members of the armed forces who were discharged for medical reasons are also eligible to apply for assistance for up to four years after a medical discharge.

In addition, reserve component service members (including Pennsylvania National Guard members) and their families may be eligible for a grant for a period of up to three years after release from a qualifying active duty tour.

The program also applies to certain family members of eligible service members who are Pennsylvania residents. Applicants must show that they have a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control.

In addition to the check-off box on the Personal Income Tax form, contributions can be made directly by sending a check to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, c/o Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Bldg. 0-47 Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003.

Donations are tax deductible to the extent authorized by federal law.

To learn more about this program, visit www.mfrap.pa.gov.

AG Shapiro launches new

Office of Public Engagement

Following through on a commitment to restructure the Office of Public Engagement, making it more available and accessible to the public and to every Pennsylvanian in a way that addresses community safety and well-being, Attorney General Josh Shapiro this week announced the creation of a new Office of Public Engagement.

The office will be led by Rob Reed and Pearl Kim, two veteran prosecutors who have a long history of working proactively with the community to address challenges. The new office combines resources from existing divisions within the Office of Attorney General and will handle all outreach and constituent-related inquiries.

“The Attorney General is the one person every Pennsylvanian can call when they’ve been scammed, victimized, or had their rights denied and that’s why we’re launching this office,” Shapiro said in an emailed news release. “As veteran prosecutors who made deep, positive impacts in the communities they served, Rob’s and Pearl’s relationships and expertise bring instant credibility to this new office and will help us strengthen the trust between law enforcement and the people we serve to improve people’s lives.”

Carrelli
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_PA-Adjutant-General-Tony-Carrelli-1.jpgCarrelli

Shapiro
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Senate-Pennsylvania-_Sopr-1-1-1.jpgShapiro

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_web1_DePasquale.jpg

By Bill O’Boyle

boboyle@www.timesleader.com

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.