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| House Bill Pushes PA To Legalize Marijuana |
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Posted by CN Staff on December 01, 2009 at 13:14:45 PT By Kyle Lawson, Tribune Review Source: Tribune Review 
Pennsylvania -- Stephany Bowen suffers from fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy and chronic pain from four back surgeries, a metal plate in the back of her neck and hypertension in her right leg.Her daily ritual includes insulin, Vicodin and up to two bowls of marijuana, which she claims eases nausea caused by her medication and takes her mind off her pain. She said she is unable to work and rarely leaves home. Her marijuana use is a crime under state law, but she is hopeful that one day that will change. "I believe it does have medicinal qualities to it," said Bowen, 46, of Penn Hills. "Since marijuana is grown naturally, it should be legal." Momentum supporting that position is growing. Since 1996, 13 states have legalized medical marijuana. State Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Philadelphia, introduced House Bill 1393 in April that would legalize marijuana for medical purposes. A public hearing is scheduled tomorrow in Harrisburg before the House Health and Human Services committee. The bill aims to ease the lives of suffering patients, take money away from the drug trade and create about $25 million a year in tax revenue from the sale of marijuana, Cohen said. "The bill has a 1-in-4 chance of becoming law, but I think that health care groups will lean toward it," he said. Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, chairman of the subcommittee on drugs and alcohol, said the decision to legalize marijuana should rest with the medical community. "Doctors should determine whether there's a place for the drug in the treatment of their patients," he said. The American Medical Association last month changed its position on medical marijuana, urging the federal government to reconsider pot's classification as a Schedule 1 drug. The goal is to clear the way to conduct clinical research and develop marijuana-based medicines, according to the association. The AMA's statement was a topic of conversation recently at the first meeting of Pittsburgh NORML, the local chapter of the National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws. A group of about 20 members, who ranged widely in age and profession, discussed methods of spreading information about medical marijuana. "We will be organized and professional," said Patrick Nightingale, a Downtown defense attorney and founder of Pittsburgh NORML. "We're not a bunch of freaks getting together to get stoned." Nightingale, a former Allegheny County assistant district attorney, said he supports complete legalization. "It concerns me as an attorney that I've had to prosecute and defend folks for conduct no different than buying a six-pack or bottle of wine," he said. Tomorrow's public hearing is a small step forward for supporters of the bill, but with just six co-sponsors there's a chance it will never reach a vote, said Rep. Randy Vulakovich, R-Shaler. "Marijuana is still considered a gateway drug, and a lot of the people who are fighting for this bill want to use the legislation as a step-off point for legalizing all marijuana," said Vulakovich, a former police officer. Gov. Ed Rendell maintains his position on medical marijuana, said spokesman Gary Tuma. "If a reasonable, well-crafted bill reached his desk," Tuma said, "he would sign it." Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA) CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help
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| Comment #6 posted by FoM on December 02, 2009 at 13:06:29 PT |
| I think the same way as you on these reports. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by runruff on December 02, 2009 at 12:41:52 PT |
| It is like the feds are an island of NO surrounded by a sea of YES! Redoubt by redoubt their defences fall! We now stand at the fortress gate! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 02, 2009 at 12:04:44 PT |
| December 2, 2009 Harrisburg, Pa. (AP) -- The growing debate surrounding the legalization of marijuana as a medicine has arrived in Pennsylvania. A state House committee heard testimony Wednesday from patients, doctors and members of advocacy groups who say medical marijuana should be legal because it’s effective in treating chronic pain and nausea. However, a bill sponsored by Philadelphia Democrat Mark Cohen faces long odds in the Legislature. A spokesman says the Senate’s Republican majority has no plans to take up the issue, even if the bill passes the House. In addition, state Attorney General Tom Corbett says even the limited legalization of marijuana could compound the dangers that drugs present to society. The House Committee on Health and Human Services didn’t schedule a vote on it. Fourteen states allow medical marijuana use. Copyright: 2009 Associated Press URL: http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2009/12/02/news/state/doc4b16c2c553ee9256718934.txt [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by FoM on December 02, 2009 at 07:53:29 PT |
| Pennsylvania Lawmakers Will Talk About Legalizing Marijuana for Medical Purposes By The Patriot-News December 02, 2009 The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today will hold its first-ever hearing on a bill that would legalize marijuana for medical purposes. The House Health and Human Services Committee will hold a public hearing at 11 a.m. in Room 140 of the Main Capitol in Harrisburg on a bill from state Rep. Mark B. Cohen, D-Phila., H.B. 1393, which would permit the use of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. Cohen will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. with people who say they would have their suffering reduced or eliminated if they were allowed to use medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. The news conference will be at the East Wing Rotunda at the Capitol. "The time has come for Pennsylvania to join 13 other states that allow patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma, HIV or other physically painful diseases to use medical marijuana," Cohen said in a press release. "It is important the committee and the public hear the powerful stories from these patients about the beneficial use of medical marijuana in treating pain and other symptoms of debilitating medical conditions." The House Health and Human Services Committee hearing on H.B. 1393 will be streamed live on http://www.pahouse.com Copyright: 2009 PennLive LLC. URL: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/12/pennsylvania_lawmakers_will_ta.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by FoM on December 01, 2009 at 15:12:13 PT |
| December 1, 2009 URL: http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=111731&catid=2 [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #1 posted by EAH on December 01, 2009 at 13:50:41 PT:
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| "Marijuana is still considered a gateway drug, and a lot of the people who are fighting for this bill want to use the legislation as a step-off point for legalizing all marijuana," said Vulakovich, a former police officer." Funny how some people refuse to budge from closely held but false beliefs. He seems to think anti prohibition interests are somehow trying to "put one over" on society. What he is apparently unable to comprehend is that yes, of course we're trying to legalize all cannabis. That is the goal. [ Post Comment ] |
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