Pubdate: Tue, 28 Jan 2014
Source: Daily Review (Towanda, PA)
Copyright: 2014 The Daily Review
Contact:  http://www.thedailyreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1015

POINTS TO PONDER

Whether legal recreational use of marijuana becomes more common 
likely will depend upon the unfolding experiments in Colorado and Washington.

The question of whether cannabis should be used for valid medical 
treatments is far less complex. Pennsylvania should join the states 
that allow it.

A bill to allow medicinal marijuana use, the Compassionate Use of 
Medical Cannabis Act has been introduced in the Senate, where the Law 
and Justice Committee will conduct a hearing today.

It's sponsors are Sen. Mike Folmer, a Lebanon County Republican and 
cancer survivor, and Sen. Daylin Leach, a Montgomery County Democrat.

"I believe under the guidance of a medical professional, patients 
should have every opportunity to combat their illness and have the 
liberty and ability to use cannabis as a weapon in their arsenal of 
treatment," Mr. Folmer said.

In states that allow it, marijuana sometimes is prescribed for cancer 
patients to stimulate appetite and diminish pain, often with fewer 
and less severe side effects.

Mr. Leach wants to legalize medicinal marijuana so that drugs derived 
from it may be used in Pennsylvania for treatment of children's 
seizure disorders. He has launched a social media campaign featuring 
children who have benefited from the treatment. (#MeetThePAKids)

Gov. Tom Corbett opposes any legalization of marijuana. But if the 
Legislature passes a bill based on sound science, he should sign it.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom