It’s no secret that the marijuana industry has been targeting Pennsylvania, and seeking to influence your State Senator is part of their agenda. Their coordinated lobbying campaign to influence Pennsylvania legislators grabbed media attention this week as the industry brought Mike Tyson to Harrisburg. What some might not know is that Tyson is the CEO of a marijuana company and a registered sex offender. He was brought to lobby for multiple bills that would advance their Big Marijuana addiction-for-profit agenda.
In an interview with ABC27’s Dennis Owens, Tyson made a ridiculous statement when asked about marijuana-related DUIs and traffic dangers:
“Everybody going too slow? That’s the only thing that happens when you do cannabis and drive, is drive too slow. You’re going to get a ticket for driving too slow.”
Tell that to Lilly Roth. At a Harrisburg press conference organized by PA Family back in May, multiple families shared how marijuana use has devastated their lives. Lilly’s pastor read her story: her vehicle was struck by a 21-year-old driving too fast, and under the influence of marijuana. Her parents both died from their injuries. They both died due to injuries from the crash weeks later. As Lilly puts it, “There was no good reason why this happened.”
Mr. Tyson, this is no laughing matter. In testimony opposing recreational legalization of marijuana, AAA Mid-Atlantic shared alarming data about marijuana use and driving:
- “The share of drivers who, after a fatal crash, tested positive for active THC – the drug’s main psychoactive ingredient – has doubled since [Washington State] legalized marijuana.”
- “Legalization of recreational marijuana may increase the rate of THC-positive drivers involved in fatal crashes.”
- “Previous research suggests that users who drive high are up to twice as likely to be involved in a crash.”
Impaired driving is just one of many real-world consequences of policies that expand access to recreational marijuana. As Lilly’s pastor said to our elected officials:
“Are you really going to turn a blind eye to the consequences? If you do, shame on you.”
Take Action
If we all speak up, Mike Tyson and the marijuana industry will lose.
Right now, multiple bills are under consideration in the Pennsylvania Senate. One of the bills, Senate Bill 49, recently advanced from committee. If SB 49 makes it to the Senate floor, it could be amended into a vehicle for full recreational legalization statewide—exactly what Big Marijuana is after.
This bill would create a new marijuana control board—with the executive director and three members appointed by Governor Josh Shapiro, who openly supports the marijuana industry’s push for full legalization. It would also create a taxpayer-funded program to promote marijuana use.
Your voice matters. Please contact your State Senator today and urge them to oppose Senate Bill 49.
👉 Click here to use our action alert and send your Senator an email.
Outside the Capitol this week, a mobile billboard sponsored by TruthOnWeed.com circled the complex, warning lawmakers that Pennsylvania shouldn’t repeat the mistakes of Big Tobacco with “Big Marijuana.” The bright orange truck carried messages like “It’s not worth the negatives” and “Put our kids before drugs.”
