Philadelphia - The ACLU-PA and AIDS Law Project joined with dozens of medical experts and residents to officially voice their support for the medical marijuana bill in Pennsylvania leading up to hearings on PA HB 1393.
The Pennsylvania AIDS Law Project, a premier advocacy group for those living with HIV/AIDS, offered their formal support for the Barry Busch Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The Project’s Executive Director Ronda Goldfein sent the group’s comments to PA4MMJ to submit to the PA House Health and Human Service Committee for consideration during their December 2, 2009 hearings.
The AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania supports clients and others affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic by urging the passing of HB 1393, the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, 45,000 Pennsylvanians have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic in 1981. Many of these HIV/AIDS patients have decreased appetites and suffer from weight loss or an inability to gain weight—a syndrome referred to as “AIDS wasting.”
Drugs used to treat the disease, though effective, may decrease the appetite of HIV/AIDS patients. Also, side effects such as nausea and diarrhea can lead to weakness and susceptibility to opportunistic infections, another reason for decreased appetite. Some drugs need to be taken on an empty stomach or after a meal, making it difficult for a patient to eat on a regular schedule.
However, smoking cannabis containing 2.0 percent or 3.9 percent THC resulted in “substantial … increases in food intake … with little evidence of discomfort and no impairment of cognitive performance,” according to a 2007 study conducted by Columbia University, and reported in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. And according to a 2005 survey published in the same journal, users of medical marijuana were 3.3 times more likely to adhere to their anti-retroviral regime than non-users.
AIDS patient and PhillyNORML volunteer Barry Busch started PA4MMJ to help bring about safe access. Busch passed away in 2005. PhillyNORML volunteers re-started the group in 2009 to help coordinate the introduction of the medical cannabis bill with Representative Mark B. Cohen. The PA bill is named after him in a memorial to his work. Barry was very active in the AIDS community of Philadelphia and PhillyNORML group members who knew him said Barry would be pleased by the announcement today.
The American Civil Liberties Union - Pennsylvania also confirmed this week that they will testify in support of the bill at the legislative hearings. The national ACLU has an official position in support of safe access by patients:
"The War on Drugs has become a war on sick people. Even though 80 percent of Americans support the use of medical marijuana and 11 states have legalized it, the federal government continues to prosecute patients under federal law - subjecting them to massive fines, seizure of their property and possible imprisonment all in the name of the "War on Drugs.'"
The ACLU-PA will have a staff member testify in person at the December 2nd hearings.
The National Lawyers Guild, Philadelphia chapter endorsed HB 1393 this summer. The NLG has a membership of self-proclaimed progressive civil rights attorneys, many of whom volunteer to be legal observers for protests and civil disobedience actions.
We pledge our support to this important health care initiative. This proposal would allow seriously ill patients who find relief from marijuana to use it with their doctor’s approval. READ IN FULL
Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana has been in contact with over 100 individuals across the state who expressed a desire to testify. The House Health and Human Services Committee hearings next week are for information gathering and will not see a vote.
Yet, it marks a moment of historical importance as the very first time that such a bill has been considered in PA. Because of a change in the schedule for both the Senate and House these medical cannabis hearings are the only activity at the Capitol next Wednesday. Advocates are encouraging as many supporters as possible to attend the hearings in person. HHS Committee Chairman, State Rep. Frank Oliver, has planned the event to take place in Room 140 with live TV viewing screens in the main rotunda area so the hearings can accommodate a large audience.
Press conferences are planned during the day with legislators and patients. The testimony, including questions from legislators, is expected to last the entire afternoon. There will be a broadcast on the Pennsylvania Cable Network. PA4MMJ will have live blogs, twitter feeds, live streaming video and other hearing updates along with links to media and broadcasts of the hearings. There are some carpools forming for Harrisburg and the hearings are easily accessible by bus and train.
HB 1393 would employ legal protections for patients modeled closely on New Jersey's bill, allowing for home cultivation and distribution via Compassion Centers where sales would be taxed. So far the issue has enjoyed positive media attention and steady support. This legislative action on the topic comes on the heels of the recent Department of Justice memo and American Medical Associatoin report. Thus, these hearings of this twenty-six member, bi-partisan, co-chaired committee of PA state Reps should be an interesting informational foray into the world of modern medical cannabis.
News Hawk- Ganjarden 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Examiner.com
Author: Chris Goldstein
Contact: Examiner.com
Copyright: 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
Website: AIDS Law Project, ACLU-PA Endorse Medical Marijuana
The Pennsylvania AIDS Law Project, a premier advocacy group for those living with HIV/AIDS, offered their formal support for the Barry Busch Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The Project’s Executive Director Ronda Goldfein sent the group’s comments to PA4MMJ to submit to the PA House Health and Human Service Committee for consideration during their December 2, 2009 hearings.
The AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania supports clients and others affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic by urging the passing of HB 1393, the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, 45,000 Pennsylvanians have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic in 1981. Many of these HIV/AIDS patients have decreased appetites and suffer from weight loss or an inability to gain weight—a syndrome referred to as “AIDS wasting.”
Drugs used to treat the disease, though effective, may decrease the appetite of HIV/AIDS patients. Also, side effects such as nausea and diarrhea can lead to weakness and susceptibility to opportunistic infections, another reason for decreased appetite. Some drugs need to be taken on an empty stomach or after a meal, making it difficult for a patient to eat on a regular schedule.
However, smoking cannabis containing 2.0 percent or 3.9 percent THC resulted in “substantial … increases in food intake … with little evidence of discomfort and no impairment of cognitive performance,” according to a 2007 study conducted by Columbia University, and reported in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. And according to a 2005 survey published in the same journal, users of medical marijuana were 3.3 times more likely to adhere to their anti-retroviral regime than non-users.
AIDS patient and PhillyNORML volunteer Barry Busch started PA4MMJ to help bring about safe access. Busch passed away in 2005. PhillyNORML volunteers re-started the group in 2009 to help coordinate the introduction of the medical cannabis bill with Representative Mark B. Cohen. The PA bill is named after him in a memorial to his work. Barry was very active in the AIDS community of Philadelphia and PhillyNORML group members who knew him said Barry would be pleased by the announcement today.
The American Civil Liberties Union - Pennsylvania also confirmed this week that they will testify in support of the bill at the legislative hearings. The national ACLU has an official position in support of safe access by patients:
"The War on Drugs has become a war on sick people. Even though 80 percent of Americans support the use of medical marijuana and 11 states have legalized it, the federal government continues to prosecute patients under federal law - subjecting them to massive fines, seizure of their property and possible imprisonment all in the name of the "War on Drugs.'"
The ACLU-PA will have a staff member testify in person at the December 2nd hearings.
The National Lawyers Guild, Philadelphia chapter endorsed HB 1393 this summer. The NLG has a membership of self-proclaimed progressive civil rights attorneys, many of whom volunteer to be legal observers for protests and civil disobedience actions.
We pledge our support to this important health care initiative. This proposal would allow seriously ill patients who find relief from marijuana to use it with their doctor’s approval. READ IN FULL
Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana has been in contact with over 100 individuals across the state who expressed a desire to testify. The House Health and Human Services Committee hearings next week are for information gathering and will not see a vote.
Yet, it marks a moment of historical importance as the very first time that such a bill has been considered in PA. Because of a change in the schedule for both the Senate and House these medical cannabis hearings are the only activity at the Capitol next Wednesday. Advocates are encouraging as many supporters as possible to attend the hearings in person. HHS Committee Chairman, State Rep. Frank Oliver, has planned the event to take place in Room 140 with live TV viewing screens in the main rotunda area so the hearings can accommodate a large audience.
Press conferences are planned during the day with legislators and patients. The testimony, including questions from legislators, is expected to last the entire afternoon. There will be a broadcast on the Pennsylvania Cable Network. PA4MMJ will have live blogs, twitter feeds, live streaming video and other hearing updates along with links to media and broadcasts of the hearings. There are some carpools forming for Harrisburg and the hearings are easily accessible by bus and train.
HB 1393 would employ legal protections for patients modeled closely on New Jersey's bill, allowing for home cultivation and distribution via Compassion Centers where sales would be taxed. So far the issue has enjoyed positive media attention and steady support. This legislative action on the topic comes on the heels of the recent Department of Justice memo and American Medical Associatoin report. Thus, these hearings of this twenty-six member, bi-partisan, co-chaired committee of PA state Reps should be an interesting informational foray into the world of modern medical cannabis.
News Hawk- Ganjarden 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Examiner.com
Author: Chris Goldstein
Contact: Examiner.com
Copyright: 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
Website: AIDS Law Project, ACLU-PA Endorse Medical Marijuana
