UPPER MERION - Gov. Tom Wolf, state Sen. Daylin Leach, D-17th Dist., and state Rep. Tim Briggs, D149th Dist., joined about a dozen advocates of the medical marijuana bill recently signed into law during a news conference in King of Prussia Tuesday to tout the new legislation and promise its swift implementation. The law, which passed with bipartisan support, will allow marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes in pill form and in oils that can be vaporized. The bill's signing makes Pennsylvania the 24th state to sanction a medical marijuana program. [continues 709 words]
"This is what government is supposed to look like." Just let that notion sink in for awhile. We've gotten accustomed to the opposite when it comes to politics. It doesn't matter if it's Washington, D.C., or Harrisburg. Somewhere along the line, we lost sight of the purpose of government serving the public. Instead what we all too often have amounts to little more than political bloodsport. It's as if Vince Lombardi had hijacked the nation's political agenda. "Winning is not everything, it's the only thing." [continues 703 words]
While medical marijuana has been passed in Pennsylvania after lengthy deliberation it may be too early for celebration based on the opinions of some of the advocates close to the passage of the bill. "This is a great step forward, but there's still a ways to go," said Karen Diller, of Chambersburg, who became an advocate for medical marijuana after her daughter Karly found significant relief in a medical marijuana study. Senate Bill No. 3, the medical marijuana bill that was signed into law Sunday by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, will allow people to seek medical marijuana for diseases that range from severe gastrointestinal problems to some of the diseases more traditionally treated with medical marijuana such as cancer or HIV/AIDS. [continues 471 words]
(AP) - Pennsylvania has become the 24th state to legalize a comprehensive medical marijuana program. Gov. Tom Wolf (D) signed the bill into law Sunday afternoon surrounded by a jubilant crowd of supporters at the Capitol building in Harrisburg. "Marijuana is medicine, and it's coming to Pennsylvania," said state Sen. Daylin Leach (D), the bill's co-sponsor. The bill's drafters said it could take two years to write regulations and open retail outlets, but a provision allows parents to legally administer medical marijuana to their children before the legislation takes effect in a month. [end]
Local Cannabis Activists Say They Have More Work to Do. A state law signed by the governor Sunday allowing the plant to be used to treat 17 medical conditions is a great start, those at the NEPA Cannabis Rally said, adding that they hope to see all its uses legalized. It was coincidence that Gov. Tom Wolf signed the law, which opens up cannabis plants for research and treatment of symptoms of multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and post-traumatic stress disorder, on the same day Jeff Zick and his team held an annual rally in Scranton's Nay Aug Park. [continues 302 words]
Official: 2 Years to Implement Law HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania now needs to create a new state-regulated industry over the next two years with the governor's signing Sunday of a law legalizing use of medical marijuana for patients and academic research. This landmark law envisions a role for hospitals, universities and academic medical centers researching the best use of medical marijuana to treat diseases. The state Department of Health under the helm of Secretary Karen Murphy, R.N., Ph.D., a Scranton native, takes the lead role in regulating medical marijuana. [continues 600 words]
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania has become the 24th state to legalize a comprehensive medical marijuana program. Governor Tom Wolf, a Democrat, signed the bill into law Sunday, surrounded by a jubilant crowd of supporters at the Capitol in Harrisburg. "Marijuana is medicine and it's coming to Pennsylvania," said the bill's cosponsor, Senator Daylin Leach, a Democrat. The bill's drafters say it could take two years to write regulations and get retailers opened, but a provision allows parents to legally administer medical marijuana to their children before the bill takes effect in a month. [continues 264 words]
Medical marijuana might seem like a cottage industry, but with Pennsylvania the nation's sixth-largest potential market, it's more likely to be big business. Think guys in suits, or maybe lab coats, not dreadlocks and striped baja hoodies. "I've heard estimates that the investment has to be $5 million to $10 million to be a grower-processor," said Dan Clearfield, a Harrisburg attorney who specializes in regulated substances. "This is not a small-business operation." It won't happen overnight, either. It could be anywhere from 18 months to two years before Pennsylvania residents seeking to treat their medical conditions with cannabis will be able to walk into a dispensary and slap a prescription on the counter. [continues 975 words]
Maybe our friends in the state Legislature are tired of being ridiculed. Maybe they're tired of being mocked for their work habits, the fact that nothing ever seems to get done in Harrisburg, or the partisan bickering that seems to gum up everything in the state Capitol. This week they took serious actions to provide relief to groups that have been calling out for help for years. On Thursday the House joined the Senate in passing a measure that would make Pennsylvania the 24th state in the nation to allow use of medical marijuana. [continues 670 words]
Pennsylvania lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf have helped to ease some medical patients' suffering by legalizing the use of prescribed medical marijuana. Now, their task is to see if the same rare bipartisan cooperation that led to the new law can ease the commonwealth's pain from polarized, unproductive governance. The bill, which also promotes further research into the medicinal value of marijuana, is a healthy departure from the political paralysis that has produced such debacles as the longest budget impasse in Pennsylvania history. Ultimately, the bill became law because enough lawmakers focused on Pennsylvanians' needs rather than on politics alone. The same approach by lawmakers, rather than digging in their heels on ideological grounds, might produce similar results on other important but stalled initiatives. [end]
Pennsylvania lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf have helped to ease some medical patients' suffering by legalizing the use of prescribed medical marijuana. Now, their task is to see if the same rare bipartisan cooperation that led to the new law can ease the commonwealth's pain from polarized, unproductive governance. The bill, which also promotes further research into the medicinal value of marijuana, is a healthy departure from the political paralysis that has produced such debacles as the longest budget impasse in Pennsylvania history. [continues 52 words]
The House Voted 149-46 in Favor; Gov. Wolf Will Sign Bill HARRISBURG (AP) - Pennsylvania is set to become the latest state to legalize medical marijuana as the Legislature sent a bill to the governor on Wednesday, after parents of children suffering from debilitating seizures circulated the Capitol urging lawmakers to act. The House voted, 149-46, capping several years of door-to-door lobbying by parents and more than a year-and-a-half since the state Senate first approved a medical marijuana bill in 2014. Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, has indicated he will sign it. [continues 644 words]
HARRISBURG (AP) - Pennsylvania is set to become the latest state to legalizemedical marijuana as the Legislature sent a bill to the governor on Wednesday, after parents of children suffering from debilitating seizures circulated the Capitol urging lawmakers to act. The House voted, 14946, capping several years of door-to-door lobbying by parents and more than a year-and-a-half since the state Senate first approved a medical marijuana bill in 2014. Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, has indicated he will sign it. [continues 660 words]
HARRISBURG (AP) - The state Senate passed medical marijuana legislation for the second time in less than a year on Tuesday, and backers said they hope the House will accept the changes and send it to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf 's desk later this week. The issue has won overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers after years of advocates, primarily the parents of children who suffer daily seizures and have lost their ability to function intellectually at their age levels, going door to door in the Capitol. [continues 413 words]
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. [continues 677 words]
Both houses of Pennsylvania's legislature have belatedly voted to take the merciful and pragmatic step of legalizing marijuana for medicinal use. The trouble is that, particularly in the House, lawmakers couldn't resist saddling the measure with overwrought restrictions reminiscent of the Rube Goldberg bureaucracy the state still imposes on another long-prohibited drug, alcohol. The state Senate can either substantially improve the legislation, which would require reapproval by the lower chamber, or largely accept it, getting the measure to Gov. Wolf's desk as quickly as possible and leaving major changes for another time. The latter course would be wiser. [continues 110 words]
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania lawmakers moved Monday to put final touches on a bill to legalize medical marijuana, reviving a longdebated measure that had stalled near the finish line last month. The Senate agreed to add a few technical changes to the House-approved bill. Republican leaders who control both chambers say that barring last-minute objections, the legislation could land on Gov. Wolf's desk for a signature this week. "I believe everyone is acting in good faith, but I will be holding my breath until the final vote is taken," said Sen. Daylin Leach (D., Montgomery), who, with Republican Sen. Mike Folmer of Lebanon County, has championed the bill. [continues 350 words]
HARRISBURG (AP) - Senate backers said Monday that they hope medical marijuana legislation will get to Gov. Tom Wolf 's desk this week and start what could be a two-year process of setting up regulations for growers, dispensaries and physicians. A Senate committee approved changes to a bill that passed the House last month. Backers said they expect a final Senate vote today, followed by a final House vote on Wednesday. The Democratic governor supports the bill. The changes were designed to eliminate potential glitches in how the set up and regulation of the industry is supposed to work, Senate officials said. [continues 389 words]
HARRISBURG (AP) - Senate backers said Monday that they hope medical marijuana legislation will get to Gov. Tom Wolf 's desk this week and start what could be a two-year process of setting up regulations for growers, dispensaries and physicians. A Senate committee approved changes to a bill that passed the House last month. Backers said they expect a final Senate vote today, followed by a final House vote on Wednesday. The Democratic governor supports the bill. The changes were designed to eliminate potential glitches in how the set up and regulation of the industry is supposed to work, Senate officials said. [continues 388 words]
Requests Decriminalization of Small Amount of Marijuana A former Pottsville native Monday asked the city council to pass an ordinance to allow residents to possess "a small amount" of marijuana, "30 grams or less." "I am here tonight to request that the city adopt a progressive and rational ordinance regarding the decriminalization of marijuana, allowing possession of a small amount of marijuana in the city," Vincenzo "Vince" Mercuri, the founder of Marijuana Farmers University, based in California, said at City Hall. [continues 810 words]
Nixon's Drug Assault Hurt Blacks and Dissidents Did Richard Nixon create the war on drugs as a political tool to attack African-Americans and dissidents? A Nixon aide claimed as much, and it would not be surprising. Mr. Nixon's paranoia was well known, even before he left office in disgrace in 1974. He divided the world between friends and enemies. Blacks and left-wing war protesters were clearly in the latter camp. An article about the war on drugs in this month's Harper's magazine cites a 1994 interview the writer conducted with John Ehrlichman, the former Nixon domestic policy chief, who characterized the administration's policies as an intentional assault on people. "By getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin ... and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities," said Mr. Ehrlichman, who died in 1999. [continues 216 words]
The biggest news in Pennsylvania involving marijuana is the new law authorizing its use as medicine, which was long overdue. But a bill also is pending in the Legislature that would authorize something involving the plant that is even more overdue. It would allow farmers to grow industrial hemp. The plant is a form of marijuana that does not contain THC, the chemical that makes pot either high-inducing or therapeutic. But hemp is incredibly versatile otherwise. Around the world, it is grown in more than 30 countries and used in more than 25,000 products. According to the Congressional Research Service, the United States imported about $600 million worth of hemp in 2013. [continues 117 words]
Editor: I read with disbelief the March 25 article, "Cops: Teacher smoking pot at St. Pat's parade." I had to reread it. On a day when the beer taps are open from early morning hours and revelers of various states of inebriation are in the streets, the police arrested a Pittston Area teacher and her friend for smoking marijuana at a picnic table away from the crowd. She was not only arrested, she was suspended by the Pittston Area School Board. The suspect, Tia Biscotti, was engaged in an activity that is illegal in Pennsylvania, but legal in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and the District of Columbia. It did not occur while she was teaching and she was not on school property. [continues 125 words]
NEW BLOOMFIELD - State Senate candidate John DiSanto on Monday night trashed the decades long "war on drugs" and said he supported legalizing marijuana for recreational use. John DiSanto says he supports legalizing marijuana John DiSanto, a GOP candidate running for the 15th state Senate District nomination, talks about supporting legalizing marijuana for recreational use following a March 28, 2016 debate. DiSanto, a Republican running for the 15th state Senate District nomination, disputed that marijuana was a gateway drug and said that the federal government's "war on drugs" only has exacerbated the problem. [continues 357 words]
A recent Inquirer article described the high cost of medical marijuana in New Jersey ("New Jersey's medical marijuana prices could be nation's highest," March 18). The average cost of $489 an ounce is indeed exorbitant, denying poor patients a means of treating pain, nausea, and insomnia - just a few of marijuana's remarkable qualities. As a Stage 4 pancreatic cancer survivor, I can attest to these benefits personally. Moreover, New Jersey's marijuana dispensaries charge a $200 fee for every patient and caregiver. No dispensary accepts credit card payments, so patients are forced to carry large sums of cash, making this a crime waiting to happen to the most sick and vulnerable. And there are limited numbers of authorized doctors and dispensaries in the state, which makes obtaining treatment more difficult, especially for the poor. All in all, New Jersey's medical marijuana program is falling very short of meeting the needs of all its citizens, rich and poor. Saul Lichtine, Voorhees [end]
I would like to applaud the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for its recent vote approving the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes ("Pa. House votes to legalize medical marijuana," March 17). The bill had languished in committee in previous sessions primarily due to a small but powerful minority that opposed this source of potential relief for thousands of Pennsylvanians in need. When finally allowed to come up for a vote, the bill passed by an overwhelming majority, 149-43, which closely matches the results of a recent Quinnipiac University poll of Pennsylvania residents on the medical marijuana issue. It was refreshing to see the will of the people carried out by our elected officials. This vote truly demonstrated democracy in action. Jeffrey Fogel, M.D., Ambler, docfog4308@yahoo.com [end]
HARRISBURG (AP) - Some key Senate backers of medical marijuana legalization are expressing concern about a marijuana bill passed by the House last week, raising the possibility of a delay in getting the drug into the hands of Pennsylvania patients suffering from conditions such as cancer and epilepsy. Senate staff and lawyers found what they say are numerous flaws in the legislation passed by the House last week. Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon, who sponsored the initial bill that overwhelmingly passed the Senate last year, might press for changes and another vote by both chambers instead of agreeing to the House version and sending it to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature. [continues 108 words]
HARRISBURG (AP) - Some key Senate backers of medical marijuana legalization are expressing concern about a marijuana bill passed by the House last week, raising the possibility of a delay in getting the drug into the hands of Pennsylvania patients suffering from conditions like cancer and epilepsy. Senate staff and lawyers found what they say are numerous flaws in the legislation passed by the House last week. Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon, who sponsored the initial bill that overwhelmingly passed the Senate last year, might press for changes and another vote by both chambers instead of agreeing to the House version and sending it to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature. [continues 341 words]
Senate Republicans say the House passed a bill so altered that it might need reworking, further delaying its trip to Wolf's desk. A week after the Pennsylvania House of Representatives took a long-awaited vote to legalize medical marijuana, key backers are worried that the law's implementation could be slowed or even derailed by last-minute changes to the measure. Senate Republicans say that the 154-page legislation passed by the House was a gutted and heavily revised version of their original 69-page bill, and that some of the changes could be so problematic that they could unnecessarily delay getting medical marijuana into patients' hands. [continues 630 words]
Amid a long and dispiriting budget battle, Republican state lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf found common ground last week on an important bill to expand the arsenal of safe drugs used to combat pain. The House passed a bill to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, 149- 43. In the process, representatives rejected a series of poison-pill amendments by misguided law-and-order advocates that would have made the bill impossible to implement in practice. Sen. Mike Folmer, a conservative Republican from Lebanon who helped shepherd a similar bill to passage in the Senate last year, expected that the House and Senate bills will be reconciled and sent to Wolf, who plans to sign it. [continues 155 words]
While Pennsylvania is closer than ever to making medical marijuana available for patients who need it, some hurdles remain along with important answers to significant questions. It's been two decades since California became the first state to allow for medicinal use of marijuana and cannabis. Since then, 23 states - along with Guam and Washington, D.C., have enacted similar legislation. Pennsylvania seems poised to join that list. In one context, it is about time. Enough studies have been done across the nation to justify appropriately managed and maintained medical uses for the drug in various forms. In another vein, opponents argue the state is bypassing the Food and Drug Administration. [continues 236 words]
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 nine 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." [continues 575 words]
Amid a long and dispiriting budget battle, Republican state lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf found common ground last week on an important bill to expand the arsenal of safe drugs used to combat pain. The House passed a bill to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, 149-43. In the process, representatives rejected a series of poison-pill amendments by misguided law-and-order advocates that would have made the bill impossible to implement in practice. Sen. Mike Folmer, a conservative Republican from Lebanon who helped shepherd a similar bill to passage in the Senate last year, expected that the House and Senate bills will be reconciled and sent to Mr. Wolf, who plans to sign it. [continues 155 words]
Amid a long and dispiriting budget battle, Republican state lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf found common ground last week on an important bill to expand the arsenal of safe drugs used to combat pain. The House passed a bill to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, 149-43. In the process, representatives rejected a series of poison-pill amendments by misguided law-and-order advocates that would have made the bill impossible to implement in practice. Sen. Mike Folmer, a conservative Republican from Lebanon who helped shepherd a similar bill to passage in the Senate last year, expected that the House and Senate bills to be reconciled and sent to Wolf, who plans to sign it. [continues 155 words]
Editor: Another reason to allow sick citizens to use cannabis (marijuana) that doesn't get mentioned (Pennsylvania lawmakers start debating bill to permit the use of medical marijuana, Mar. 15), is because it is Biblically correct since God indicates He created all the seed-bearing plants saying they're all good on literally the very first page of the Bible. The only Biblical restriction to using cannabis is to use it with thankfulness (1 Tim. 4:1-5). Many people know of cannabis as the tree of life and the very last page of the Bible indicates the leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations. A sane or moral argument to cage sick people who use cannabis doesn't exist. Stan White Dillion, Colorado [end]
Proponents Say Potential Ordinance Would Refocus Police Resources WILKES-BARRE - Passage of an ordinance downgrading the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia has sparked serious discussion among city officials - on marijuana decriminalization. Marijuana decriminalization in Wilkes-Barre is largely supported among top city officials and legislators, with only one of five city council members on the "definitely not" end of the scale. Proponents say decriminalizing possession of small amounts would help refocus police resources on fighting violent and serious drug crimes, alleviate pressure on the state court system and prevent creating or worsening criminal records for low-level offenders. [continues 769 words]
Guidelines Aim to Halt Steep Rise in Addiction. but Some Patients Are Worried. As a teen growing up in Lansdale, Pat Allan may have experimented with painkillers. But what put him in serious trouble, his family believes, was the Vicodin prescribed after his wisdom teeth were removed in high school. He escalated into abusing prescription opioids bought on the street and their cheaper cousin, heroin. He was 30 years old when New York City police called to say he had been found dead of an overdose. His little sister Kay listened on her dad's speakerphone. [continues 982 words]
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." [continues 573 words]
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." [continues 668 words]
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." [continues 572 words]
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. [continues 1046 words]
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." [continues 797 words]
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. [continues 470 words]
(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. [continues 539 words]
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." [continues 264 words]
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." [continues 266 words]
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." [continues 410 words]
Inside Pennsylvania
