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IT'S TIME TO PASS THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

Far out.  It's taken much longer than it rightly should have, but the Pennsylvania Legislature is on the cusp of approving a bill that would legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes in the Keystone State.

We are not fans of much what is happening these days in the state Capitol, where partisan gridlock is now the norm, and where Democratic Gov.  Tom Wolf and Republican leaders in the House and Senate lobbed grenades at each other for nine months in an extended budget standoff, a crisis that had real effects and hurt real people and key organizations.

But we applaud the move this week to approve use of pot to ease suffering by people dealing with serious illnesses such as cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, seizures and other life-altering maladies.

The measure had already passed the House.  This week it received a few minor tweaks form the Senate.  In Harrisburg, since Republicans control both chambers of state government, they decide what becomes law and what does not.  Don't believe it? Just ask Wolf, who saw his campaign promise of a huge increase in education spending - funded by a whopping tax hike - die a slow, agonizing death as Republicans stood steadfast against hiking taxes.

But this week Republicans, who have indicated opposition to the medical marijuana issue, say it could wind up on the governor's desk before the end of the week.

It's easy to poke fun at this kind of measure as the product of some Cheech and Chong movie run amok.

That's not the case.  There are legitimate arguments made by law enforcement and medical organizations to the trend - best exemplified by new laws in Colorado - to legalize possession of small amounts of pot.

This legislation does not do that.

What it does is offer sensible treatment to people - as well as their loved ones - in the throes of chronic medical conditions.  We're talking about children who suffer from epileptic seizures.  A parade of just such heart-rending family sagas has gone to Harrisburg urging passage of the measure.

Sen.  Daylin Leach, D-17, who represents parts of both Delaware and Montgomery counties, has been the measure's foremost proponent.  He's reached across the aisle ( yes, they still on rare occasions do that in Harrisburg ) to Republican Sen.  Mike Folmer of Lebanon County to champion the bill.

If the bill becomes law, Pennsylvania would join 23 other states - including New Jersey - that have approved use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.  The drug would then be available to them in pill, oil or ointment form.  The process would be subject to state regulation, including licenses for those who grow and process medical cannabis.  Doctors involved in prescribing it will need to register with the state.  Patients seeking it will need an ID card, one that must be renewed annually.

Both the House and Senate have passed different versions of the bill.  But - and in Harrisburg there is always a but - there is a problem.  The version passed by the House was changed in several important ways before being sent to the Senate.  There is concern that more changes sought by the Senate could "light" a whole new debate, again delaying common-sense legislation that desperate families already have been deprived of for too long.

The arguments against expanded use of marijuana - especially in this kind of medical form reek of the worst kind of images conjured up by trite old movies such as "Reefer Madness." In fact, some of the arguments put forth by opponents in Harrisburg look like they were taken from the campy flick.

There also is the persistent argument that legalization of medical uses for marijuana would inevitably open the door to increased recreational use.

That is an argument for another day.

Right now, the Legislature has a rare opportunity to offer relief for suffering Pennsylvania families.

The bill already has been watered down from its original form.  New delays would simply create new hardships for people who have already known too many.

And at the same time reinforce the widespread belief that nothing - regardless of its benefits - is beyond the partisan wrangling that defines politics in Harrisburg these days.

House Republican leaders have expressed support, but still say they will wait to see exactly what the Senate sends them before signing off on the bill.  It's been long enough.  Use of medical marijuana has been on the fire in Harrisburg long enough.  It's time to pass this bill, and offer some needed relief to individuals and families who have been deprived some simple relief for too long.