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PA.  SHOULD FOLLOW JERSEY'S LEAD ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Legislators in neighboring New Jersey recently passed a bill to legalize medical marijuana, and Gov.  Jon Corzine signed the bill into law in one of his last acts before completing his term this week.  That adds the Garden State to the more than a dozen states that have legalized medicinal marijuana. 

Cynics will say this is the proverbial foot in the door for outright legalization of marijuana. 

Maybe true.  Meanwhile, it should serve as an reminder to Pennsylvania legislators that marijuana ought to be treated the same way as other, legal prescription drugs as a palliative for those suffering from AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis and other diseases. 

New Jersey legislators had enthusiastic citizen approval. 

A poll in 2009 indicated that 86 percent of New Jersey residents supported legalization.  Pennsylvanians hold similar views. 

A 2006 statewide poll indicated 77 percent supported legalized medical marijuana. 

State Rep.  Mark Cohen, D-Philadelphia, is prime sponsor of H.B.  1393, which would legalize medical marijuana through a strict system requiring a doctor's written prescription for the substance for the treatment of disease or pain associated with a medical condition. 

The bill acknowledges physicians and researchers who say that medicinal marijuana alleviates pain and nausea among patients with cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and HIV even when other drugs fail. 

Legalizing medical marijuana has the substantial additional advantage of removing the substance from the criminal arena. 

Patients who seek marijuana for their condition would no longer be supporting illicit drug dealers, nor would they be targets for dealers peddling other illegal drugs.  Under H.B.  1393, marijuana could be managed in much the same way as approved pharmaceuticals.  H.B.  1393 also would provide a modest revenue stream for the state through taxes and fees. 

That last is the reason for the foot in the door to full legalization: revenues.  Legalized medical marijuana, then marijuana generally, could and probably will become the next "sin" tax as state legislatures continue struggling to balance their ledgers. 

Remember the opposition to gambling? As more states adopted gambling as a way to raise revenue but not taxes, Pennsylvania lawmakers looked around and said, "Why not here?" First ...  just slot machines. 

Now, table games. 

As more states legalize medical marijuana and begin making revenues, arguments will swell for full legalization, treating marijuana as we do alcohol: controlled and taxed. 

That's happening now in cash-strapped California.  As states see other states making money on marijuana, moral qualms will melt in the face of the quick buck. 

But that's in the ( probably far distant ) future. 

Right now, across the Delaware River, legislators and the governor have recognized medical marijuana's value. 

And marijuana does have medical value. 

Lawmakers in the Keystone State should follow suit.  And hold the promise of a larger revenue stream for later, when they think Pennsylvanians are more ready for it.