Democrat State Sen. Daylin Leach from Montgomery county plans to introduce legislation that would legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania today in Harrisburg.

The bill would legalize marijuana for people over the age of 21 and it will be regulated just like alcohol is.

In a press release from Leach’s office he said, "Since 2006, an average year, 24,685 marijuana arrests were made in Pennsylvania at a cost to the taxpayers of $325.36 million. Each year we leave several hundred million dollars on the table in taxes that we do not collect because marijuana is illegal, rather than regulated and taxed.”

“Like alcohol, legalization and regulation will make marijuana safer. People will no longer have to buy it on the streets from criminals who may have laced their product with other dangerous drugs. People buying legally will know exactly what they are getting and be able to rely on the safety of what they are purchasing.”

"I acknowledge that it may take a while, But like same-sex marriage, this will inevitably happen. Demographics and exposure will in time defeat irrational fears, old wives tales and bad science. This bill furthers the discussion."

Senator Leach announced that Sens. Jim Ferlo, D-Pittsburgh, and Lawrence Farnese, D-Philadelphia, will co-sponsor the legislation.

Governor Tom Corbett has always opposed legalizing marijuana.