Pubdate: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA) Copyright: 2014 Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Contact: http://triblive.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460 Author: Ron Hess LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA Medical marijuana has been known since Phoenician times for its healing and psychologically uplifting properties for most. I am speaking specifically about the plant being used as delineated in Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1182. When passed, Pennsylvania will become the 24th state to exercise its states' right to afford doctors the option of prescribing it. The federal government has decreed this is a state matter. In other parts of the world, patients are being effectively weaned off antidepressants and pain and blood-pressure medications, to name a sampling of why it's important. It is the only remedy for certain conditions such as Dravet Syndrome. Failure to adjust to new information can be fatal. Imagine the 16th-century struggle to convince the church that Earth wasn't the center of the universe. Science seeks knowledge. Turning away from the truth proves what? At 10 a.m. Monday on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg, there will be a rally to express to the Legislature returning from summer recess our disapproval of the unnecessary delays in passing this bill. I'm told the bill can be passed in six days and our legislators will have 12 session days left before year's end. They want to wrap up before the election. If this is important to you, please show up. Bring your children and let them see firsthand the democratic process working at its best - a people's choice! Ron Hess York - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom