Pennsylvania: Committee Approves Medical Marijuana Bill, But Mother Fears 'Secrecy'

[Jacob Redmond]

The state House rules committee voted 25-8 in favor of a bill to legalize medical marijuana in Pennsylvania.

The bill still requires a vote by the full House. Gov. Tom Wolf has said he will sign a bill.

The committee approved the Senate bill authored by state Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon, which passed by a large margin in spring.

But Folmer on Wednesday said he expects his bill will be amended on the House floor. "I'm very grateful that it's moving. It's an opportunity that we might get this to the finish line," he said.

Folmer added that "the devil will be in the details" regarding possible House amendments.

Folmer's bill has strong support from medical marijuana supporters, including the influential group of parents of children who have severe, debilitating seizures which aren't well-controlled with available medications.

But one of those parents, Latricia Bentch of Swatara Township, said late Wednesday "we are just terrified" over what they've heard regarding amendments.

Bentch said she has seen no language, but has heard amendments will cap the level of THC in medical marijuana, and prevent anyone who has ever had a drug possession conviction from being the caregiver of a person being treated with medical marijuana.

"I guess what's really bothersome is the secrecy," she said, adding that there was a high level of transparency in the Senate, which she said regularly sought the views of advocates and compromised with them.

In September, a working group of House members issued recommendations that would allow medical marijuana to be used to treat 14 medical conditions, including seizures, post traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, cancer, HIV/AIDs, and several neurological conditions.

One of the important open questions involves how many growers, processors and dispensers to allow.

Among the Republican majority on the rules committee, ten voted yes and eight voted no. All 15 Democrats voted yes.

Among the yes Republican votes was House Majority Leader Dave Reed of Indiana County, who also is the head of the rules committee. The Republican no votes included House Speaker Mike Turzai. *edit*

News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Committee Approves Medical Marijuana Bill, But Mother Fears 'Secrecy'
Author: David Wenner
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Photo Credit: David Wenner, PennLive
Website: Penn Live

 

[420 Warrior]

Re: Pennsylvania: Committee Approves Medical Marijuana Bill, But Mother Fears 'Secrec

But one of those parents, Latricia Bentch of Swatara Township, said late Wednesday "we are just terrified" over what they've heard regarding amendments.

Bentch said she has seen no language, but has heard amendments will cap the level of THC in medical marijuana, and prevent anyone who has ever had a drug possession conviction from being the caregiver of a person being treated with medical marijuana.

Ok, you have "seen no language" so you really don't know for sure what's going to be in the final amendment, so your only going by hearsay at this point? Why not wait and see what they decide on and then speak out against the things you don't like about it, but in the mean time just be glad that at least they are making progress in the right direction. It kills my soul how some people just want to micromanage every little aspect of every little thing, never excepting that this is a less than perfect world we live in and not everything is going to be tailored to fit your every little want and wish. If you want to bitch and complain about something, how about focusing on reclassifying Cannabis as a viable medicine on the federal level so that every state has a legal right to decide for themselves what's good for them and what isn't?

"I guess what's really bothersome is the secrecy," she said, adding that there was a high level of transparency in the Senate, which she said regularly sought the views of advocates and compromised with them.

Ummm Ok? What secrecy? You just said there was and I quote "a high level of transparency in the Senate" and what prey tell is wrong with transparency and seeking the views of advocates? I wouldn't want it any other way. Our elected officials should always be transparent when deciding the fate of others and who better to take advice from than that of medical Cannabis advocates on the manor in which they should be treated? Is this person serious? Medical Cannabis advocates often include doctors and other health care professionals, so wouldn't it only stand to reason that you should seek they're advice or "views"?

Just sayin...