CHAMBERSBURG — Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman is coming to town next month to hear local views on legalizing recreational marijuana.
But the event will be boycotted by four state legislators representing the county in Harrisburg.
The Rep. John Hershey (R-82), Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-89), Rep. Paul Schemel (R-90) and Rep. Jesse Topper, (R-78) issued a press release Thursday saying they would not attend.
Rep. John Hershey 
Rep. Rob Kauffman 
Rep. Paul Schemel 
Rep. Jesse Topper
Fetterman’s stop in Chambersburg is a part of a statewide “listening tour” to gain public input about the legalization issue, according to his press secretary, Christina Kauffman.
The four state legislators question his motives in inviting them to join him on the stage at the May 2 event at the Eugene Clark Recreation Center.
“We recognize this event for what it is: cover to push an agenda of legalizing drugs,” they said.
According to their letter, Rep. Hershey “experienced this firsthand” when he attended a listening tour in Juniata County Fetterman’s invitation.
Their statement did not cite specific examples of what happened at that event.
They do claim Fetterman, who defeated Republican Scott Wagner last year while running on a pro-pot platform, is in the pocket of the marijuana industry.
“(He) was endorsed by the marijuana industry PAC, trading under the abbreviation NORML, which called Fetterman an “unrelenting champion” of legalizing pot,” they said in a joint statement issued Thursday. “When the lieutenant governor visits Franklin County, what exactly is he listening for?”
Asked where Fetterman stands on the legalization issue, Christina Kauffman sidestepped the question. Instead she said the Lieutenant Governor “doesn’t discuss his personal views” at the tour events.
“The tours are being held to hear the public’s input about legalization,” she said.
Franklin County’s Republican representatives question that, however.
“Although we commend the lieutenant governor on his willingness to ‘hear’ both sides, we wonder if he will really be ’listening,’” they said in their joint statement.
“We believe this tour is a sham and we decline to be a part of it.”
Joint Statement
Fetterman’s press secretary said so far discussion at the public forums has been civil and respectful.
When the tour is complete, Fetterman will present all of the information he has gathered to Gov. Tom Wolf.
All tour stops are free and open to the public.
Those who are not able to attend or who are interested in remotely leaving a comment about legalizing recreational marijuana may submit comments on the Governor’s website via an online submission form.
The Franklin County stop on Fetterman’s 67-county tour will begin at 6 p.m. May 2 at the Eugene Clark Recreation Center, 235 S. Third St.
