ALLENTOWN (TNS) — It’s probably just a matter of time before Pennsylvania becomes the 19th state to legalize recreational marijuana for adults.

What once was a Democratic mission now has bipartisan support in the Legislature. And I’m glad to see that the Republicans running the show are pursuing this the right way.

This past week they kicked off a series of hearings to investigate the pros and cons of cannabis.

Law enforcement officers were among those who testified. Future hearings will feature insight from officials in other states where marijuana is legal.

This decision shouldn’t be based solely on public opinion, as Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman attempted several years ago.

In 2019, he spent three months traveling the state on a “listening tour” to hear what people thought about pot. The pro-legalization report he issued was nothing more than a public opinion poll of a skewed audience, I wrote at the time.

Soon after, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf asked lawmakers to legalize marijuana. They weren’t interested then.

I said then that the idea shouldn’t be scrapped for good. But it needed true analysis.

We’re finally getting it.

How much tax revenue would sales generate? Estimates have ranged from $580 million to $1 billion annually.

How do you address the black market that’s sure to remain?

How will this reduce the workload of law enforcement and the courts if they no longer must prosecute marijuana crimes?

If records for past marijuana convictions are expunged, will that make it easier for those people to obtain better jobs?

Is it likely for cannabis to be a gateway drug? What’s the likelihood of an increase in vehicle accidents, or accidents in the workplace?

If it becomes legal for adults, what steps can be taken to make sure kids don’t get their hands on it?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a study estimated that about 30% of people who use marijuana have what’s known as “marijuana use disorder.” That means they cannot stop using it even though it’s causing health and social problems.

Those are just some of the issues lawmakers should explore. Enough other states have legalized marijuana that there should be a way to predict whether it would be beneficial here.

There are benefits. The tax money would be welcome. Police and the courts would be able to focus on more serious problems. People wouldn’t be dogged by arrest records.

I would support legalization, as long as I knew that any downsides were considered, and plans put in place to address them.

“Obviously, marijuana is not new,” Sen. Mike Regan, R- York, said at Monday’s hearing of the Senate Law and Justice Committee. “It is already out there. It is already being used by millions of people, young and old, far and wide.”

Regan, committee chairman and a former U.S. marshal, intends to introduce legislation legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use.

Doing so, he said, would provide Pennsylvanians with a safe product; keep revenue in the state instead of it going to neighboring states where pot is legal; and cut off money going to violent criminals, gangs and cartels.

State Rep. Amen Brown, D- Philadelphia, also plans to introduce legislation legalizing marijuana. He testified that sales have become so open in his community that flyers were placed on cars with a QR code so people could order marijuana on their phones and have it delivered.

“It is accessible to anyone. The illicit market, they’re changing with the times,” Brown said.

But what’s sold isn’t always safe, he said. He had a lab test a sample purchased by a constituent. It contained fungus that can cause health problems. Regan said fentanyl and embalming fluid also can be found in illegally purchased marijuana.

Possession of small amounts of marijuana no longer is prosecuted universally. At Monday’s hearing, senators questioned law enforcement officials about violence and driving under the influence related to marijuana.

District Attorney Robert Greene of Warren County testified that while it is illegal to drive with any amount of THC — a chemical component of marijuana — in your system, that doesn’t mean you are impaired. He said those traces can remain for days after use.

His office prosecutes only drivers who are visibly impaired.

“You could go to Las Vegas, smoke marijuana legally on a vacation, come back and a week later be driving in Pennsylvania and receive a DUI. That is fact,” Greene said.

He said that most violent crime in his rural county occurs during domestic disputes. Drugs or alcohol usually are involved, but not marijuana.

“Not once in my 21-year career, from being defense counsel and now prosecutor … have I seen someone who was high on weed that beat up their spouse,” Greene said.

Marijuana is related to violent crime in York County, District Attorney Dave Sunday said.

He said he’s tried three or four homicides that occurred during marijuana deals.

“I would say that the vast majority of violent crime that we see is in some way tied to the selling or purchasing of marijuana,” Sunday testified.

Greene said Pennsylvania should legalize marijuana.

“Get on board, start the regulation, do it the right way and lead,” he said.

Doing it the right way is the key. I’m glad Pennsylvania finally is headed in that direction.

(Morning Call columnist Paul Muschick can be reached at paul.muschick@mcall.com.)