Erin Mccann's 12-Year-Old Son Has Intractable Epilepsy, May Benefit From Drug

WORCESTER - The passage of a medical marijuana bill this week by the state House has given hope to a Worcester mother who treats her 12-yearold son for daily seizures.

"Ryan was 9 months old when he was diagnosed with infantile spasms. The doctors call it intractable epilepsy now that he is older," said Erin McCann. "He has seizures that include head drops of 20 to 40 times over 15 minutes. He has two (seizure) clusters a day from this condition."

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PA. on Cusp of Legalizing, but Answer Is Complex.

About half the states have legalized marijuana for medical use, and Pennsylvania appears ready to join them. Most patients who sign up for the drug indicate they're taking it for pain.

But is there evidence that it works?

Simple question, complicated answer. Turns out it works for some kinds of pain, but not others, and helps some people more than others.

"The short answer is yes," said David Casarett, director of palliative care for Penn Medicine and author of Stoned: A Doctor's Case for Medical Marijuana. "But I don't think we really know how it works."

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WORCESTER - The passage of a medical marijuana bill this week by the state House has given hope to a Worcester mother who treats her 12-year-old son for daily seizures.

"Ryan was 9 months old when he was diagnosed with infantile spasms. The doctors call it intractable epilepsy now that he is older," said Erin McCann. "He has seizures that include head drops of 20 to 40 times over 15 minutes. He has two (seizure) clusters a day from this condition."

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With Region in Grips of Drug, Alcohol Habits, Hearing Looks for Solutions.

The amount wasn't much.

In Florida, Bobby Long's doctor wrote him a prescription in the winter of 2013 to take 5 milligrams of oxycodone four times a day to curb his sudden neck and arm pain. The patient didn't want to, and the doctor didn't want him to. Both knew Mr. Long was seven years sober from alcohol and cocaine addiction, but tramadol wasn't touching the pain.

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Patients in Pennsylvania who may benefit from medical marijuana are one step closer to getting the help they need after the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday.

However, medical professionals in York County are still wary of taking the leap of prescribing medicinal cannabis to patients without knowing the benefits and risks it.

"There is a fair amount of research out there already, but it's patchwork studies and studies done overseas," said Dr. D. Scott McCracken, a member of the York County Medical Society. "We'd prefer to see long-term research before we prescribe it. We want to make sure it's used in a safe and effective way."

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It could be years before patients have access to medical marijuana in Pennsylvania despite a bill to legalize it clearing the House with overwhelming support on Wednesday.

Before officials can start implementing the bill, it first has to pass the Senate and be signed into law.

The legislation, Senate Bill 3, is now back in the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee and is awaiting a concurrence vote on the floor. Since the bill was essentially gutted in the House, where at one point more than 220 proposed amendments were attached, senators will likely thoroughly vet the alterations.

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(AP) - A bill to let Pennsylvania patients who suffer from a list of ailments obtain marijuana for therapeutic purposes easily passed the state House on Wednesday, leaving only approval by the Senate, which overwhelmingly passed a similar bill last year.

The House voted 149-43 for legislation that would set standards for growers, dispensaries and physicians. Patients could take the drug in pill, oil or liquid form, but would not be able to obtain marijuana they could smoke.

Supporters said it would help relieve the suffering of sick people.

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HARRISBURG - Patients and academic researchers would have access to marijuana for medical purposes under milestone legislation to place Pennsylvania among the ranks of states with legal cannabis programs.

The measure approved by House lawmakers Wednesday envisions a research role for hospitals, universities and academic medical centers into the use of medical marijuana to treat diseases.

The Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton sees a potential avenue for getting involved with medical marijuana research in the future.

"Some of the proposed uses of medical marijuana may be relevant to TCMC's Behavioral Health Initiative and cancer care in NEPA," said Dr. Steven J. Scheinman, president and dean of the college. "We may develop an interest in research on this topic but have no specific plans at present."

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HARRISBURG - Both patients and academic researchers would have access to marijuana for medical purposes under milestone legislation to place Pennsylvania among the ranks of states with legal cannabis programs.

The measure approved by House lawmakers Wednesday envisions a research role for hospitals, universities and academic medical centers into the use of marijuana to treat diseases.

The Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton sees a potential avenue for getting involved with medical marijuana research in the future.

"Some of the proposed uses of medical marijuana may be relevant to TCMC's Behavioral Health Initiative and cancer care in NEPA," said Steven J. Scheinman, M.D., president and dean of the college. "We may develop an interest in research on this topic but have no specific plans at present."

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Senate Will Consider Legislation Next

HARRISBURG - The House on Wednesday approved allowing the medical use of marijuana in Pennsylvania, sending the legislation to the Senate, which has approved medical cannabis bills in the past.

The vote was 149-43, with all voting Democrats and more than half of Republicans in support.

Advocates and Gov. Tom Wolf applauded the House vote, which followed emotional debate from supporters and opponents alike. Julie Michaels, who has traveled to the state Capitol from her home in Fayette County to advocate for medical marijuana, said she felt a "huge sense of relief that we got through the House, which had been our biggest stumbling block to this point."

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PA. Would Allow Medical Treatment, Research Uses

HARRISBURG - Both patients and academic researchers would have access to marijuana for medical purposes under milestone legislation to place Pennsylvania among the ranks of states with legal cannabis programs.

The measure approved by House l awmakers Wednesday envisions a research role for hospitals, universities and academic medical centers into the use of medical marijuana to treat diseases.

The Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton sees a potential avenue for getting involved with medical marijuana research in the future.

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HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - The Pennsylvania House of Representatives took up a proposal Monday to permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes, a potential breakthrough for supporters who have worked for several years to get legalization through the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The debate began with passage of an elaborate amendment, crafted by a bipartisan task force, laying out rules for how the program would work, including eligibility and regulations. It was approved by a 152-38 vote, but the measure still requires a final House vote.

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Medical marijuana has the support of the Delaware County delegation because of its potential to decrease opiate addiction while simultaneously offering relief to those with chronic or terminal conditions.

As state legislators work their way through hundreds of amendments, at consideration is Senate Bill 3, which would allow patients who have a recommendation from their doctor to purchase and use medical cannabis from a licensed center.

It would allow for the use of a cannabis oil that is high in Cannabidiols with antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties and low in Tetrahydrocannabinols, the psychoactive cannabis ingredient.

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A rare thing could happen in Harrisburg this week. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives could pass a bipartisan bill that the governor is eager to sign into law. This legislation could help thousands, including many children, with debilitating health problems. It is Senate Bill 3, which passed the Senate last May 12 by a 40-7 vote. This legislation would allow the use of medical marijuana in our state, something already available in 23 other states ("Pa. House Close to Vote on Medical Marijuana," March 14).

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HARRISBURG (AP) - The Pennsylvania House of Representatives took up a proposal Monday to permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes, a potential breakthrough for supporters who have worked for several years to get legalization through the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The debate began with passage of an elaborate amendment, crafted by a bipartisan task force, laying out rules for how the program would work, including eligibility and regulations. It was approved by a 152-38 vote, but the measure still requires a final House vote.

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PA. House Takes Up Medical Marijuana Legislation

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania House on Monday took up legislation to allow the medical use of marijuana in the state, beginning to prepare the bill to send back to the Senate later this week.

By a vote of 152-38, the House approved a comprehensive amendment from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Ron Marsico, R-Dauphin, that would establish a system of growers and dispensaries to provide marijuana to patients with certain conditions who receive certification from a doctor. The House considered a number of other amendments before adjourning for the night, with plans to continue today.

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Medical Marijuana Deserves House Approval

The state House of Representatives should strike a blow for common sense this week and pass the medical marijuana bill that's before it. Senate Bill 3, approved with overwhelming bipartisan support from senators last May, has been examined, deliberated and amended to address every concern. Pennsylvanians suffering from diseases that could possibly be treated with cannabis deserve the lawmakers' action.

A legitimate criticism of medical marijuana is that regulation, based on the experience in other states, can be so lax as to serve as de facto legalization. Ask anyone in California how easy it is to find a Dr. Feelgood who is quick to certify that self-described "chronic pain" makes one eligible to buy weed from a handy dispensary.

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HARRISBURG - The state House could decide as early as this week on whether Pennsylvania should become the 24th state to legalize medical marijuana.

The House began debate Monday evening on a legalization bill approved last spring by the Senate. Under the measure, people who suffer from certain conditions would be able to access medical cannabis in oil, ointment, and pill forms.

But as with all big-ticket bills in the Capitol that inspire deep divisions, it could fall victim to politics. The Republican-controlled chamber is considering a lengthy list of changes to the measure, which advocates say could make access more difficult for those who need it.

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HARRISBURG (AP) - The Pennsylvania House of Representatives took up a proposal Monday to permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes, a potential breakthrough for supporters who have worked for several years to get legalization through the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The debate began with passage of an elaborate amendment, crafted by a bipartisan task force, laying out rules for how the program would work, including eligibility and regulations. It was approved by a 152-38 vote, but the measure still requires a final House vote.

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HARRISBURG (AP) - The Pennsylvania House of Representatives took up a proposal Monday to permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes, a potential breakthrough for supporters who have worked for several years to get legalization through the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The debate began with passage of an elaborate amendment, crafted by a bipartisan task force, laying out rules for how the program would work, including eligibility and regulations. It was approved by a 152- 38 vote, but the measure still requires a final House vote.

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