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LEGALIZING POT FOR MEDICAL USE IMPORTANT TO MOM

SANDY KAERCHER of Chester County has a hope shared by a majority of Pennsylvanians.  For Kaercher, however, the hope is very personal.

Kaercher wants to see marijuana legalized for medical purposes as a last resort to control seizures that disrupt the life of her 15-year-old daughter, Grace.

Kaercher is part of a group of parents advocating for legalization of medical marijuana.  The group took their wishes directly to the state House of Representatives in January, asking for legislation that would give children with seizure disorders hope for some relief.

The concerned parents' message apparently resonates with the majority of Pennsylvania citizens, if not with their elected representatives.

The Associated Press reported Monday that a Quinnipiac University poll found 85 percent of voters believe adult Pennsylvanians should be allowed to use marijuana for medical purposes if their doctor prescribes it.

The poll focused on an issue getting attention in Harrisburg and being touted among Democratic candidates looking to unseat Republican Gov.  Tom Corbett, who opposes legalizing medicinal marijuana.

The current proposal in the state Senate is opposed by the Pennsylvania Medical Society but supported by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association.

IN JANUARY testimony before the Senate Law and Justice Committee, parents of epileptic children said they had tried everything, and marijuana is a last desperate hope.

The parents told the committee that an oil extracted from the marijuana plant holds promise as a remedy to ease the seizures their children experience, but it is not available to them in Pennsylvania.  Although she was not among the group who traveled to Harrisburg for the hearing, Kaercher shares the group's cause.

Kaercher said she learned of the possible benefits of medical marijuana to Grace after seeing a CNN program that featured a couple from Colorado who tried medical marijuana on their child with epilepsy and succeeded.  Some of Grace's doctors have mentioned it as an option, Kaercher said.

"My daughter has been on everything.  She currently takes five pills in the morning, two in the afternoon and 10 at night," Kaercher said.

Nothing has helped.  Ironically, the substance that would be prescribed isn't even part of the drug that causes a high.  The extract comes from compounds in the plant and has medicinal benefits that can be effective in treating cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and other diseases.

Medical marijuana is now legal in 20 states and the District of Columbia.  Marijuana is legal for recreational use in two states, Washington and Colorado.

The Pennsylvania Senate proposal to legalize medical marijuana is currently pending in the Law and Justice Committee and is co-sponsored by Sen.  Mike Folmer, R-48th Dist., and Sen.  Daylin Leach, D-17th Dist.

In the seven-way Democratic primary race, the proposed legalization and taxation of marijuana has become a hot topic after being introduced by John Hanger as a proposal to ease prison overcrowding and create a new source of revenue.  While that all-out pot campaign has not gotten a lot of traction, the support for medical use of marijuana is gaining support.

FOR GOOD reason: Parents like Sandy Kaercher are weary of watching their children suffer when help is available in other states.  Most Pennsylvanians agree with legislation that could help ease their pain.  It's time state legislators join them and approve marijuana for medical use.