Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
A Delaware County Democratic senator continues the push to legalize medical marijuana, but dual-party support might not be enough to push along the legislation.
The bill, Senate Bill 3, was presented by Sen. Daylin Leach, D-17, of Upper Merion, and Republican Sen. Mike Folmer, R-48, of Lebanon, at the Senate Government Committee hearing Wednesday. It garnered bipartisan support in the Senate for the second time.
"Today's hearing made it clear that we can create a medical cannabis protocol in the commonwealth that is among the best in the country," Leach said in a prepared statement after the hearing.
He said it's a "life-saving relief" and it "will enable thousands of Pennsylvanians to get the medical treatment they need to live healthy, happy and productive lives. To deny this medicine to people who desperately need it would be cruel and inhumane."
Pennsylvania is one of a few states currently considering comparable legislation to legalize cannabis. If passed, the state would join 21 others, including Washington D.C., that enacted similar laws.
Nearly identical to what was proposed last year in SB 1182, SB 3 allows patients to use medical marijuana as a treatment option for an array of disorders and medical conditions, including children who suffer from seizures.
Marijuana dispensaries and growers would be permitted to open shop across Pennsylvania, specifically targeting customers looking for medical cannabis that's doctor-prescribed.
Last year, Leach said the medical marijuana business would generate millions of dollars worth of tax revenue to aid the state's growing deficit.
The 2014 fiscal note states that there's "no adverse fiscal impact" on the state's budget for issuing licenses since a $50,000 per license fee is mandated for all growers, processors and distributors, with a $5,000 yearly renewal fee and application fees for access cards.
Strict regulations and licensing fees would monitor the distribution and use of the narcotic.
The bill bans individuals from smoking. Violations – similarly treated to alcohol distribution and consumption laws – include: illegally of driving under the influence of marijuana; selling to minors; and public intoxication. Inappropriately obtaining and using the drug will remain unlawful.
Attention was drawn to the positive aspects of medical marijuana's impact on young children dealing with seizure disorders.
Republican supporter, Sen. Tom McGarrigle, R-26, of Springfield, said residents deserve an expanded option to avoid ailing side effects connected to prescribed medication. He said in an email Wednesday that children who suffer from seizures typically undergo treatment using "a powerful cocktail of chemicals with serious side effects."
McGarrigle and Leach agree that opening the door for medical marijuana use would help prevent children undergoing seizure-related treatment from losing out on childhood experiences.
"Giving them the option of medical cannabis would give them a new option with far fewer side effects and allow them to live a child's life of play and learning," McGarrigle said.
Despite a bipartisan effort in the Senate, legalizing marijuana will face arguable discussions in the House, where the bill died last session after passing 43-7 in the Senate.
There's a chance Gov. Tom Wolf's support might sway House members to approve legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania. However, some GOP members say that a barrier still exists.
A political stance against expanding medical-related drug use, based on a perception that it might open the door for further illegal activity, poses a threat in passing legislation once it hits the House.
"Medical cannabis' greatest roadblock is one of perception," McGarrigle said. "There is much misinformation about what this bill will and will not allow. It's important for everyone to know that this bill clearly defines how and when medical cannabis can be used and obtained."
State Reps. Jim Cox, R-Berks and Ed Gainey, D-Allegheny, plan to reintroduce some form of legislation to House members that would legalize medical marijuana. The pair introduced it last year, and it was co-sponsored by House Republicans and Democrats, including Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160, of Upper Chichester, and Maria Donatucci, D-185, of Philadelphia.
Cox said discussions with House members revealed that changes are forcing them down "a road that would end up having us beating our head against the wall." He said several individuals he spoke to regarding Folmer's and Leach's bill want components of SB 1182 in the most recent legislation.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Leach, Delco Republican pressing for medical marijuana bill - Main Line Suburban Life - Main Line Media News
Author: Kristina Scala
Contact: kscala@delcotimes.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Main Line Media News - Latest News, Sports, Opinion, Entertainment, Business, Life
The bill, Senate Bill 3, was presented by Sen. Daylin Leach, D-17, of Upper Merion, and Republican Sen. Mike Folmer, R-48, of Lebanon, at the Senate Government Committee hearing Wednesday. It garnered bipartisan support in the Senate for the second time.
"Today's hearing made it clear that we can create a medical cannabis protocol in the commonwealth that is among the best in the country," Leach said in a prepared statement after the hearing.
He said it's a "life-saving relief" and it "will enable thousands of Pennsylvanians to get the medical treatment they need to live healthy, happy and productive lives. To deny this medicine to people who desperately need it would be cruel and inhumane."
Pennsylvania is one of a few states currently considering comparable legislation to legalize cannabis. If passed, the state would join 21 others, including Washington D.C., that enacted similar laws.
Nearly identical to what was proposed last year in SB 1182, SB 3 allows patients to use medical marijuana as a treatment option for an array of disorders and medical conditions, including children who suffer from seizures.
Marijuana dispensaries and growers would be permitted to open shop across Pennsylvania, specifically targeting customers looking for medical cannabis that's doctor-prescribed.
Last year, Leach said the medical marijuana business would generate millions of dollars worth of tax revenue to aid the state's growing deficit.
The 2014 fiscal note states that there's "no adverse fiscal impact" on the state's budget for issuing licenses since a $50,000 per license fee is mandated for all growers, processors and distributors, with a $5,000 yearly renewal fee and application fees for access cards.
Strict regulations and licensing fees would monitor the distribution and use of the narcotic.
The bill bans individuals from smoking. Violations – similarly treated to alcohol distribution and consumption laws – include: illegally of driving under the influence of marijuana; selling to minors; and public intoxication. Inappropriately obtaining and using the drug will remain unlawful.
Attention was drawn to the positive aspects of medical marijuana's impact on young children dealing with seizure disorders.
Republican supporter, Sen. Tom McGarrigle, R-26, of Springfield, said residents deserve an expanded option to avoid ailing side effects connected to prescribed medication. He said in an email Wednesday that children who suffer from seizures typically undergo treatment using "a powerful cocktail of chemicals with serious side effects."
McGarrigle and Leach agree that opening the door for medical marijuana use would help prevent children undergoing seizure-related treatment from losing out on childhood experiences.
"Giving them the option of medical cannabis would give them a new option with far fewer side effects and allow them to live a child's life of play and learning," McGarrigle said.
Despite a bipartisan effort in the Senate, legalizing marijuana will face arguable discussions in the House, where the bill died last session after passing 43-7 in the Senate.
There's a chance Gov. Tom Wolf's support might sway House members to approve legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania. However, some GOP members say that a barrier still exists.
A political stance against expanding medical-related drug use, based on a perception that it might open the door for further illegal activity, poses a threat in passing legislation once it hits the House.
"Medical cannabis' greatest roadblock is one of perception," McGarrigle said. "There is much misinformation about what this bill will and will not allow. It's important for everyone to know that this bill clearly defines how and when medical cannabis can be used and obtained."
State Reps. Jim Cox, R-Berks and Ed Gainey, D-Allegheny, plan to reintroduce some form of legislation to House members that would legalize medical marijuana. The pair introduced it last year, and it was co-sponsored by House Republicans and Democrats, including Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160, of Upper Chichester, and Maria Donatucci, D-185, of Philadelphia.
Cox said discussions with House members revealed that changes are forcing them down "a road that would end up having us beating our head against the wall." He said several individuals he spoke to regarding Folmer's and Leach's bill want components of SB 1182 in the most recent legislation.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Leach, Delco Republican pressing for medical marijuana bill - Main Line Suburban Life - Main Line Media News
Author: Kristina Scala
Contact: kscala@delcotimes.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Main Line Media News - Latest News, Sports, Opinion, Entertainment, Business, Life
