Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Legalizing medical marijuana in Pennsylvania took one step closer to reality Tuesday when the state Senate approved Senate Bill 3 by a vote of 40 to 7 to allow the use of a form of the drug to treat people who are seriously ill.
The measure is the second one passed by the Senate in the past seven months.
The bill moves to the state House, where it is uncertain whether Republican leaders will allow a vote on the bill. Gov. Tom Wolf has said he will sign the measure.
But, for a Connellsville couple, the legislation could mean help for their daughter, Sydney, 5, who suffers from Dravet Syndrome, which produces multiple uncontrolled seizures.
Julie and Paul Michaels have been fighting to get a bill to legalize medical marijuana passed for several years.
Julie Michaels, a teacher in the Connellsville Area School District, said she wanted to go to Harrisburg for the Senate vote, but Sydney had a difficult weekend.
"She was basically in stasis for three days," said Julie Michaels.
On Tuesday afternoon, Sydney was doing better under the watchful eye of her mother and Lexus, a golden retriever service dog.
Lexus is trained to sense when Sydney is close to having a seizure and alert family members. Older brother Aaron, 7, was also watching over his sister.
Julie Michaels said Aaron works hard at helping his little sister.
She acknowledges that Sydney's illness affects the whole family, including Aaron.
The legislation passed Tuesday was proposed by Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon. Republican State Sen. Pat Stefano, a Bullskin resident, has been a supporter of the legislation and signed on as a sponsor.
"I'm thrilled to see it pass," Stefano said. He has been a big supporter since he campaigned for office.
He became a supporter after listening to Julie Michaels speak at a Connellsville Rotary meeting.
"We all had tears in our eyes," Stefano said. "I so much wanted to help but the laws were standing in the way of beneficial treatment. I hopped on board."
Stefano said he has worked with several members of the state House in an attempt to push the legislation through.
The passage of the Senate bill Tuesday gives hope to the Michaels' family. Julie Michaels is hoping for a quick passage of the bill in the state House.
She said she has received support from House members. One of them is state Rep. Tim Mahoney, a Democrat, who believes the majority of members of the state House support the bill.
"We can get it through the House if the Republican leadership allows the bill to come up for a vote," Mahoney said Tuesday. "That's always a problem."
Mahoney said he hopes the measure will be brought up quickly.
"It definitely needs to be passed," Mahoney said. "I hope they don't play politics."
Leaders in the House have indicated they would rather the federal government take the lead and pass legislation.
But Mahoney wants the state to allow the medication before the federal government takes action. Currently, 23 states and the District of Columbia have medical marijuana laws.
Mahoney said residents who support the measure should call or email the Republican leaders in the House.
They include Mike Turzai, Dave Reed, and Bryan Cutler among others.
Julie Michaels said the latest polls indicate 88 percent of state residents support the legalization of medical marijuana.
If medical marijuana passes, Sydney will be given the medication as a liquid through an oral syringe, her mother said.
The legislation would allow individuals who suffer from certain medical conditions to apply for a medical cannabis access card from the Department of Health.
A licensed health care practitioner would be required to provide written certification for an application to the Department of Health to be considered.
The bill does not allow the smoking of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana could ease Connellsville girl's seizures | TribLIVE
Author: Karl Polacek
Contact: kpolacek@tribweb.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Pittsburgh News, Sports, and Events - Tribune-Review
The measure is the second one passed by the Senate in the past seven months.
The bill moves to the state House, where it is uncertain whether Republican leaders will allow a vote on the bill. Gov. Tom Wolf has said he will sign the measure.
But, for a Connellsville couple, the legislation could mean help for their daughter, Sydney, 5, who suffers from Dravet Syndrome, which produces multiple uncontrolled seizures.
Julie and Paul Michaels have been fighting to get a bill to legalize medical marijuana passed for several years.
Julie Michaels, a teacher in the Connellsville Area School District, said she wanted to go to Harrisburg for the Senate vote, but Sydney had a difficult weekend.
"She was basically in stasis for three days," said Julie Michaels.
On Tuesday afternoon, Sydney was doing better under the watchful eye of her mother and Lexus, a golden retriever service dog.
Lexus is trained to sense when Sydney is close to having a seizure and alert family members. Older brother Aaron, 7, was also watching over his sister.
Julie Michaels said Aaron works hard at helping his little sister.
She acknowledges that Sydney's illness affects the whole family, including Aaron.
The legislation passed Tuesday was proposed by Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon. Republican State Sen. Pat Stefano, a Bullskin resident, has been a supporter of the legislation and signed on as a sponsor.
"I'm thrilled to see it pass," Stefano said. He has been a big supporter since he campaigned for office.
He became a supporter after listening to Julie Michaels speak at a Connellsville Rotary meeting.
"We all had tears in our eyes," Stefano said. "I so much wanted to help but the laws were standing in the way of beneficial treatment. I hopped on board."
Stefano said he has worked with several members of the state House in an attempt to push the legislation through.
The passage of the Senate bill Tuesday gives hope to the Michaels' family. Julie Michaels is hoping for a quick passage of the bill in the state House.
She said she has received support from House members. One of them is state Rep. Tim Mahoney, a Democrat, who believes the majority of members of the state House support the bill.
"We can get it through the House if the Republican leadership allows the bill to come up for a vote," Mahoney said Tuesday. "That's always a problem."
Mahoney said he hopes the measure will be brought up quickly.
"It definitely needs to be passed," Mahoney said. "I hope they don't play politics."
Leaders in the House have indicated they would rather the federal government take the lead and pass legislation.
But Mahoney wants the state to allow the medication before the federal government takes action. Currently, 23 states and the District of Columbia have medical marijuana laws.
Mahoney said residents who support the measure should call or email the Republican leaders in the House.
They include Mike Turzai, Dave Reed, and Bryan Cutler among others.
Julie Michaels said the latest polls indicate 88 percent of state residents support the legalization of medical marijuana.
If medical marijuana passes, Sydney will be given the medication as a liquid through an oral syringe, her mother said.
The legislation would allow individuals who suffer from certain medical conditions to apply for a medical cannabis access card from the Department of Health.
A licensed health care practitioner would be required to provide written certification for an application to the Department of Health to be considered.
The bill does not allow the smoking of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana could ease Connellsville girl's seizures | TribLIVE
Author: Karl Polacek
Contact: kpolacek@tribweb.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Pittsburgh News, Sports, and Events - Tribune-Review
