Pubdate: Sat, 13 Sep 2014
Source: Patriot-News, The (PA)
Copyright: 2014 The Patriot-News
Contact: http://www.pennlive.com/mailforms/patriotletters/
Website: http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1630
Author: Ron Hess

PENNSYLVANIA CAN HAVE COUNTRY'S BEST MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW

Pennsylvania has not only become part of the national movement to 
legalize medical marijuana, but has shown the rest of the country 
what a really well written bill looks like. SB 1182 is considered the 
best in the country. It's so good that the Senate floor vote on Sept 
16 should be 46-4 or better. It was voted out of the law and justice 
committee unanimously.

A group named the Campaign for Compassion, in conjunction with 
Senators Daylin Leach and Mike Folmer, is now considered the 
strongest lobby in Pennsylvania. Not one of the 1,015 members are paid.

Medically-driven citizens have done their own research for their 
children and themselves, arrived at the same positive conclusions 
about making medical marijuana a tool at a Pennsylvania doctor's disposal.

The bill will go to the House on Sept. 16th. There is a strong 
favorable majority in the House with again a small opposition led by 
Rep. Turzai. He will try to delay the vote through the remaining 12 
session days left in 2014 (they hope to wrap them up by the Nov. 4 
election). Interestingly, Rep. Turzai's wife, a physician, favors legalization.

To express the 85 percent of Pennsylvanians in favor of the bill, 
there will be a rally on the Capitol steps Sept. 15 to greet the 
legislature returning from summer recess. The event will be hosted by 
Sens. Folmer and Leach. I can't emphasize enough the importance of 
speaking up now if you or a loved one can be helped by this bill.

RON HESS, Springettsbury Township
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom