Pa. State Senator Reacts To Steelers' Running Backs Marijuana Charges
PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - Charges have formally been filed against Steelers' running backs Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount for marijuana possession.
On Wednesday, a Ross Township cop drove past the car on his motorcycle smelled the marijuana and pulled Bell and Blount over. While the pair will play in the preseason game against Philadelphia today, a punishment from the NFL could take some time.
State Sen. Daylin Leach has been an avid supporter of the legalization of marijuana. He joined Bill Rehkopf on the KDKA Afternoon News today to talk about how the legalization of marijuana could change cases such as this.
He says this story just highlights how silly Pennsylvania's drug policies are.
"If these guys were out for a beer no one would care, but they are out for a more benign... an evening with a more benign, less dangerous drug. I think we need a more rational drug policy like they have in Colorado, Washington and soon in many more states," Sen. Leach said.
As far as the policies in place for drug use and the workplace, Sen. Leach says he feels not many major changes would need to be made, just a few adjustments that are noted in his bill.
"The drug policy is designed to keep people from coming to work intoxicated. Clearly, an employer can fire someone for that and that's the law now and will continue to be the law," Sen. Leach said. "Because marijuana stays in your system in trace amounts for up to 30 days as opposed to alcohol, where it's really gone in 36 hours. What the bill says is merely having trace amounts will no longer be the basis for disciplinary action."
When it comes to driving while under the influence, Sen. Leach's opinions have not wavered. He says he remains strongly against it.
"You can't drive. It's dangerous. You can't drive intoxicated on alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, anything like that," Sen. Leach said.
You can hear more about Sen. Leach's bill in the whole interview:
Sen. Leach Reacts to Steelers Arrests
Also tune into the KDKA Afternoon News weekdays with Bill from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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