April 30th, 2010
State Senator Daylin Leach (D-17) will introduce medical marijuana legislation on May 4, 2010. A press conference with the Senator, medical professionals and local patients is planned for 11AM in the Harrisburg Capitol Media Room. The Senate bill will mirror HB1393, The Compassionate Use Act, which is still active in the House.
Ask your State Senator to join on as a co-sponsor.
Senator Leach issued a statement
today:
“It’s long past time we move beyond the misinformation and ancient wives’ tales and allow people to have the medicine that will make them feel better. Medical Marijuana has been proven repeatedly to help people who are desperately ill. It is nothing more than gratuitous cruelty to deny it to them.”
Representative Mark B. Cohen first introduced medical marijuana legislation in Pennsylvania House on April 29, 2009. Information hearings took place on December 2, 2009 before the House Health and Human Services Committee and were covered extensively by statewide media. HB1393 has been gaining support and co-sponsors. Additional public hearings in front of the House HHS
committee are expected this summer.
Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana (PA4MMJ) is supporting the passage of the legislation. The non-profit advocacy group has volunteers working around the state to raise awareness for the bill through demonstrations and open educational meetings.
Fourteen states and the District of Columbia offer doctor-supervised marijuana programs to residents with debilitating medical conditions. New Jersey passed their medical cannabis law this year. Twelve states allow patients the option of cultivation. The current language of the PA bill would allow for home-cultivation as well as distribution through Compassion Centers.
“Marijuana is a scientifically proven therapy for some of the worst ailments anyone must face. Those who seek to survive cancer, MS, AIDS, Crohns Disease and other conditions should not be persecuted and prosecuted for choosing a medicine that brings them relief,” said Chris Goldstein of Pennsylvanians for
Medical Marijuana (PA4MMJ).
Twelve of fourteen states have decided to allow or legislate patient cultivation. HB1393 and its Senate counterpart bill both include provisions for allowing patients and their caregivers to grow their own medicine.
A Quinnipiac University poll in 2009 found 59% of PA residents think the medical cannabis bill is a “good idea.”
Ask your State Senator to join on as a co-sponsor to the upcoming bill.
