Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – A House committee considering a bill entitled the Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act. Thus did the Pennsylvania legislature dip its toe into the roiling waters of the legalization debate for the first time yesterday.
The sponsor, Rep Marc Cohen (D. Phila.), said he hoped the testimony would “alter the outdated view of what should be another treatment option for many Pennsylvanians living in pain and discomfort.”
This bill is modelled on medical marijuana laws in other states, and would create a registry of patients who could buy marijuana for medicinal purposes; they would require doctors’ supervision and authorization. State-licensed “compassion centers” would be able to grow and sell marijuana.
“The time has come,” Cohen said, “for Pennsylvania to join 13 states that allow patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma, HIV, or other physically painful diseases to treat their symptoms and alleviate their suffering with this proven health-care option.”
Remarkably, Cohen has only six cosponsors out of 203 members in the House. In the Senate, the majority Republican caucus has no plans to take up the issue even if the House bill passes, caucus spokesman, Eric Arneson, said.
The hearing was yesterday before the Health and Human Services Committee which came at a time when many states have considered or enacted legalization laws. The Obama administration has halted raids on medical-marijuana dispensaries, which is a marked shift from President George W Bush’s drug policy. Attorney General Eric H Holder Jr has said his prosecutors will not go after people who comply with state medical marijuana laws.
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Why can’t I, a free-standing individual, light a natural plant on fire and inhale the fumes that it creates. When you think about, no one should be punished for this natural, harmless act, whether it be for medicinal or recreational purposes. LEGALIZE WEED! RON PAUL 2012!
i love you ! ron paul 2012 legalize our freedom !!!!!!
I have been suffering from Epilepsy since I was 5. After a grand-mal seizure, I have chewed one side of my tongue, have multiple black and blues from collapsing, and suffer migraines for days. I have the seizures typically twice a month, but the recovery is about a week or two. Stress is my trigger. Marijuana has always helped me in college and that was when I was the “healthiest”! Calms me and helps with the pain after an episode. Really wish PA would get on the bandwagon!
As of this time I have Diabetes type2, Diabetic Gastroparesis (frozen stomach) Osteo and PSoriatic Arthritis, Hypertension, Degenerative Disc Disease, and a few more beauties. Taking Oxy or viccoden doesn’t even come into play. My DGP is so bad I have lost 35 pounds over the last 3 months. When I smoke, just one puff, the nausea goes away and I can eat witout vomitting.
Please do not make us Beg. We need this to pass.
I suffer from fibromyalgia and it is no cure for this disease, I tried every medication for this disease the have on the market and nothing helps ease this pain I am at a stand still and for now i just go along with the pain
every day until it is legalized. I need major help with finding a place that will prescribe medical marijuana to help with these debilitating disease until then I can’t get out the bed at all to enjoy my life again with my wonderful husband and my 5 children. They have to take care of me until someone help us.
please, please, please, pretty please can someone help me.
I am 22 and I have IBS and I tried bentyl and mirlax just makes it worst.
I tried changing my diet still cant relax my colon. I am so bloated all the time and I cant poop. Every time I smoke one hit of marijuana it releases my colon from being so tight so I go to the bathroom right away. Help My stomach is killing me please sighn the bill to legalize medical marijuana so I do not have to be in pain no more.
I ve been shot and stabbed,i suffer from (ptsd),and major depression and viccoden hurt my stomach. But marijauna kills the pain and calms me of any depressions that im goin through.They should at least legalize it for medical purposes!