Greene further admitted to cannabis use “for most of my entire life” and said he recently received his medical marijuana card.

He sat down with the Times Observer last week to discuss that decision, its effects and what might be next for him.

With a little bit of hindsight, Greene said he has been “somewhat surprised” by the feedback he has received.

“The reaction in my arena has been much more positive than negative, extremely supportive,” he said. “It’s amazing the people that are coming out of the woodwork that support my position, including law enforcement officers that want to remain anonymous.”

Times Observer file photo District Attorney Rob Greene.

The decision hasn’t been without consequence, though.

Greene said that his concealed carry permit was revoked by former Warren County Sheriff Brian Zeybel as a result of his revelation.

“I have five days to turn in my license,” he said. “Absolutely I will be fighting that.”

At issue is a part of the application that asks whether an applicant is “prohibited from possession or acquiring a firearm under the statutes of the United States?”

The use of marijuana remains illegal under federal law, even for those with state-issued medical marijuana cards.

Greene’s disclosure begged directly asking one specific question: Have you illegally acquired marijuana while serving as district attorney?

“No. I have never illegally acquired marijuana while I was district attorney,” he said. “I can’t believe no one has asked me that yet.”

He said that his use of cannabis has been Delta 8.

“Delta 8 is not marijuana,” he said, but rather a cannabinoid derivative from hemp that is legal in Pennsylvania.

Greene said he had a medical procedure in June 2022 where he was prescribed opiates. He didn’t want to take the opiates.

“I legally purchased Delta 8 for the pain instead of the opiates,” he said. “It was almost an experiment on myself.”

And, he says, it worked.

It appears to have been the road that led to obtaining the medical marijuana card.

Greene’s term runs until the end of 2025 and, at this point, he aims to finish that term.

“Is it possible I could leave the office early? Yes,” he said, if an advocacy opportunity presents itself. “That would be the only way.”

But such an option isn’t currently on the table.

“There are no prospects on the horizon,” he said. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do.”

Shifting to advocacy isn’t the only reason he intends to not seek another term.

“I think three terms is enough for anybody, I think, in any elected position,” he said. “You need a change. Elected positions shouldn’t be lifetime appointments.

“Twenty-five years working in the criminal arena is enough.”

Making the announcement now, in his view, allows those potentially interested to have the time to process that decision.

“I don’t think it’s fair for me to surprise everyone,” he said. “It’s a commitment to be a DA and run for an elected position. I felt a year ahead of time (when people typically announce candidacies) was the most appropriate.”

It’s not particularly surprising that not all of the feedback has been positive. He said those who aren’t supportive and who might think him now unfit to serve are “entitled to that opinion.”

But, he views it as “incorrect.”

“How would my use of cannabis in my off time at all affect my decision making,” he rhetorically asked. “I’m held to a higher standard. As district attorney you have to be as close as you can be (to being perfect) because you’re leading by example.”

He asked what the difference would be if he were drinking alcohol on the weekend.

He’s hopeful that going public with this won’t harm any relationships within the law enforcement community that he’ll be working closely with over the next two years.

“If it does, it would be on their end,” he said. “I respect their opinion. I hope they respect mine. (It’s) not affecting my job performance whatsoever.”

He said, actually, that the opposite would be true.

“Law enforcement is an extremely high-stress occupation,” he said. “A human being can only take so much darkness in their world. When constantly dealing with that, (we)can take prescribed medication for it or we can use a plant… that can help with your anxiety, stress, things of that nature. It can be extremely helpful.”

The disconnect between state and federal laws on this issue is the “battle I want to get to.

“I’m a patriot. I love this country. I love freedom,” he said. “I love the thought that you can do what you want within reason as long as you’re not hurting others. It scares me where the country seems to be going.

“The state’s rights are being eroded, if not completely eroded. We’re in a complete reversal right now that is so anti-Constitution and that’s my battle.”

While his next professional role will, if he gets the choice, focus on cannabis advocacy, he views his current role as a forum to do that, as well.

“I think I’m doing it right now,” he said. “What’s happening next is in God’s hands.”

“I think it was time to take a stand,” he added. “I think my advocacy goes hand in hand with me being the district attorney. I feel I am absolutely representing the people of Pennsylvania against what I see as unconstitutional laws against cannabis.”