Pubdate: Mon, 27 Jan 2014
Source: News-Item, The (PA)
Copyright: 2014 The News Item
Contact:  http://www.newsitem.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3556
Author: Robert Swift
Page: 1

NEW PUSH ON POT

Focus of Bill Is Medical Marijuana for Sick Kids

HARRISBURG- A newpush to have Pennsylvania legalize marijuana use for
medical reasons focuses heavily on the potential benefit for sick children.

The issue will be in the limelight Tuesday when the Senate Law and
Justice Committee holds a hearing on a bill known as the Compassionate
Use of Medical Cannabis Act.

This measure would allow the use of medical marijuana by patients with
a recommendation from an attending physician.

Sen. Daylin Leach, D-17, King of Prussia, a bill cosponsor, has
launched a social media campaign called Meet the Kids (#MeetThePAKids)
that highlights the cases of children who could benefit from
prescribed use of marijuana.

Leach features photos and stories of children with epilepsy and
seizure disorders on his website. He said children with these
illnesses can benefit from the medicinal qualities of marijuana. Leach
urged Gov. TomCorbett to meet with some of the families.

The governor opposes the legalization of marijuana for medicinal and
recreational uses, Corbett spokesman Jay Pagni said Friday.

However, Corbett has said he's interested in seeing the results of any
trials by the federal Food and Drug Administration on the effects of
cannabidiol, a non-hallucinogenic compound in cannabis, added Pagni.

The bill's other sponsor, Sen. Mike Folmer, R-48, Lebanon, brings a
personal perspective to the matter.

"As a cancer survivor, I believe under the guidance of a medical
professional, patients should have every opportunity to combat their
illness and have the liberty and ability to use cannabis as a weapon
in their arsenal of treatment," said Folmer.

He suggested that medical marijuana can offer an alternative to
addictive prescription drugs.

The bill drew support last week from the Pennsylvania State Nurses
Association, which represents registered nurses.

"SB 1182 both protects patients from prosecution when seeking the use
of medicinal marijuana and protects health care providers who suggest
medical marijuana to relieve intractable medical conditions or
symptoms," said an association statement.

The senators carefully note their bill is the first to be introduced
in the Senate with bipartisan support. But medical marijuana bills
have been introduced in previous sessions without seeing much headway.

A House committee held a hearing in 2009 on a Philadelphia Democratic
lawmaker's bill to provide for state licensing and inspection of
"compassion" centers where marijuana could be used with a doctor's
recommendation by patients suffering from HIV, AIDS, cancer and other
illnesses.

That hearing drew testimony from supporters who argued that medical
marijuana is a way to ease pain and suffering and opponents who voiced
concerns the bill would weaken existing drug laws and make a
controlled substance more available.
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