Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
The state House rules committee voted 25-8 in favor of a bill to legalize medical marijuana in Pennsylvania.
The bill still requires a vote by the full House. Gov. Tom Wolf has said he will sign a bill.
The committee approved the Senate bill authored by state Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon, which passed by a large margin in spring.
But Folmer on Wednesday said he expects his bill will be amended on the House floor. "I'm very grateful that it's moving. It's an opportunity that we might get this to the finish line," he said.
Folmer added that "the devil will be in the details" regarding possible House amendments.
Folmer's bill has strong support from medical marijuana supporters, including the influential group of parents of children who have severe, debilitating seizures which aren't well-controlled with available medications.
But one of those parents, Latricia Bentch of Swatara Township, said late Wednesday "we are just terrified" over what they've heard regarding amendments.
Bentch said she has seen no language, but has heard amendments will cap the level of THC in medical marijuana, and prevent anyone who has ever had a drug possession conviction from being the caregiver of a person being treated with medical marijuana.
"I guess what's really bothersome is the secrecy," she said, adding that there was a high level of transparency in the Senate, which she said regularly sought the views of advocates and compromised with them.
In September, a working group of House members issued recommendations that would allow medical marijuana to be used to treat 14 medical conditions, including seizures, post traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, cancer, HIV/AIDs, and several neurological conditions.
One of the important open questions involves how many growers, processors and dispensers to allow.
Among the Republican majority on the rules committee, ten voted yes and eight voted no. All 15 Democrats voted yes.
Among the yes Republican votes was House Majority Leader Dave Reed of Indiana County, who also is the head of the rules committee. The Republican no votes included House Speaker Mike Turzai. *edit*
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Committee Approves Medical Marijuana Bill, But Mother Fears 'Secrecy'
Author: David Wenner
Contact: Email The Author
Photo Credit: David Wenner, PennLive
Website: Penn Live
The bill still requires a vote by the full House. Gov. Tom Wolf has said he will sign a bill.
The committee approved the Senate bill authored by state Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon, which passed by a large margin in spring.
But Folmer on Wednesday said he expects his bill will be amended on the House floor. "I'm very grateful that it's moving. It's an opportunity that we might get this to the finish line," he said.
Folmer added that "the devil will be in the details" regarding possible House amendments.
Folmer's bill has strong support from medical marijuana supporters, including the influential group of parents of children who have severe, debilitating seizures which aren't well-controlled with available medications.
But one of those parents, Latricia Bentch of Swatara Township, said late Wednesday "we are just terrified" over what they've heard regarding amendments.
Bentch said she has seen no language, but has heard amendments will cap the level of THC in medical marijuana, and prevent anyone who has ever had a drug possession conviction from being the caregiver of a person being treated with medical marijuana.
"I guess what's really bothersome is the secrecy," she said, adding that there was a high level of transparency in the Senate, which she said regularly sought the views of advocates and compromised with them.
In September, a working group of House members issued recommendations that would allow medical marijuana to be used to treat 14 medical conditions, including seizures, post traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, cancer, HIV/AIDs, and several neurological conditions.
One of the important open questions involves how many growers, processors and dispensers to allow.
Among the Republican majority on the rules committee, ten voted yes and eight voted no. All 15 Democrats voted yes.
Among the yes Republican votes was House Majority Leader Dave Reed of Indiana County, who also is the head of the rules committee. The Republican no votes included House Speaker Mike Turzai. *edit*
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Committee Approves Medical Marijuana Bill, But Mother Fears 'Secrecy'
Author: David Wenner
Contact: Email The Author
Photo Credit: David Wenner, PennLive
Website: Penn Live
