Pubdate: Tue, 01 Apr 2014
Source: Citizens' Voice, The (Wilkes-Barre, PA)
Copyright: 2014 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.citizensvoice.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1334

PRO-MARIJUANA SUPPORTERS RALLY FOR CHANGE IN PA. CAPITOL

HARRISBURG (AP) - A few hundred people who want the state to change 
its marijuana laws - for a variety of reasons - took their campaign 
to the Pennsylvania Capitol on Monday with a two-hour rally.

Speakers at the Keystone Cannabis Reform Rally urged lawmakers to 
permit use of the drug for medical purposes, to allow for the 
production of industrial hemp and to decriminalize recreational marijuana.

Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery, whose bill to permit the use of 
marijuana for medical purposes is pending before a Senate panel, said 
disease "transcends party and ideology. Anyone's child can get sick."

Leach said there are enough votes to pass the proposal, although Gov. 
Tom Corbett has signaled his general opposition.

Corbett's press secretary said Monday that if federal drug regulators 
decide the use of a marijuana byproduct is safe and effective for 
patients, the Republican governor would review their conclusions.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 20 states 
and Washington, D.C., currently allow for comprehensive public 
medical marijuana programs.

Pittsburgh resident Shawnelle Dodds said she made the trek to 
Harrisburg to show her support, particularly for friends with medical 
conditions that might be alleviated with marijuana. Dodds said she is 
optimistic the state will change current marijuana law in the near future.

"I can feel the energy," Dodds said. "I think that it's going to happen."

Les Stark of Ephrata, one of the rally organizers, also sees change 
on the horizon.

"It depends on how you define 'soon,"' Stark said. "We're confident 
we will prevail."

A recent statewide poll of voters by Quinnipiac University showed 85 
percent believe adults should be allowed to use marijuana for medical 
purpose if a doctor prescribes it.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom