Medical marijuana legislation was reintroduced in the Pennsylvania Senate Tuesday by Senators Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) and Mike Folmer (R-Dauphin/Lebanon/York).
The bill would allow patients who have a recommendation from their physician to purchase and use medical cannabis from centers licensed by a to-be-created State Board of Medical Cannabis Licensing.
The growth, processing, and dispensing of medical cannabis would be regulated by that licensing board.
Governor Tom Wolf also expressed support (show link to Wolf story).
"I really do think this is going to happen this year," said Deena Kenney of Bethlehem.
She is a medical marijuana supporter who hopes it may be able to help her 18 year-old son, Chris.
"He has tuberous sclerosis which causes seizures, autism and some behavior issues," she explained. "My hope is that it could control some of the behaviors, some of the seizures, if not all."
Currently, 21 states and the District of Columbia have similar laws.
Senate Bill 3 has 25 co-sponsors, including 11 Republicans and 14 Democrats. It has been referred to the Senate State Government Committee. Leach and Folmer are both members of that committee. Folmer is its majority chairman.
“Senator Folmer and I are joined by our Senate colleagues from both sides of the aisle today," said Leach in a statement, "because we recognize what an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians already know: Medical cannabis is a safe and effective alternative to the powerful, addictive, and often ineffective narcotics that doctors already prescribe to cancer patients, children with seizure disorders, veterans suffering from PTSD, and others Pennsylvanians who suffer from terminal health problems.
"It is cruel to continue denying these people the medicine they need.
"Senator Folmer and I also introduced the medical cannabis advocates to Governor Wolf and discussed our legislation with him.
"He was enthusiastic about our cause and told us to send him a medical cannabis bill as fast as possible.
"What a breath of fresh air!”
“My biggest fear is getting a phone call from one of the moms saying their child has passed away because Pennsylvania did not allow them access to this medication," said Folmer in a news release.
"It makes me sick to see the suicide rate of our military when medical cannabis can provide relief to post-traumatic stress disorder. We can help so many with this legislation.”
The new Senate Bill 3 is nearly identical to Senate Bill 1182 of the 2013-2014 session, which passed the Senate on Sept. 24, 2014, by a vote of 43-7. That bill was opposed by former Gov. Tom Corbett and the House didn't act on it at the end of the legislative session.
Deena Kenney told 69 News, "We have a lot more people willing this year than we did last year, so that's hopeful."
from 69News:Home http://ift.tt/15Rnq20
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