Pubdate: Sun, 28 Sep 2014
Source: Times-Tribune, The (Scranton PA)
Copyright: 2014 Townnews.com
Contact:  http://www.thetimes-tribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4440
Author: Bill Wellock
Page: A12

MARIJUANA ACTIVISTS MAKE THEIR CASE

Wilkes-Barre Cannabis Reform Rally Held at Kirby Park on Saturday.

WILKES-BARRE - Ryan Berndt smokes pot.

He's also a productive member of society, and he was in Kirby Park on 
Saturday with a sign proclaiming just that.

Mr. Berndt came to the Wilkes- Barre Cannabis Reform Rally on 
Saturday to join other advocates of the herb. About 100 people 
visited the park's pavilion to hear from a list of speakers preaching 
the benefits of cannabis and urging state government to adopt more 
cannabis friendly laws.

"I work six days a week as a sales rep for Guitar Center. I pay my 
taxes," said Mr. Berndt, 24, of Wanamie. "It's only cannabis that I'm 
not doing by the book."

Marijuana is illegal in Pennsylvania, but a bill that would legalize 
some forms of medical cannabis passed the state senate Wednesday by 
a43 to 7 vote.

Les Stark, president of the Berks County-based Keystone Cannabis 
Coalition, helped organize the event. He said the original Senate 
bill had more ailments that would have qualified for treatments and 
more products available to patients. He's disappointed by the changes 
that made it into the recently passed bill. The legislation might not 
move forward this year. The House of Representatives has only a few 
days of legislative sessions left.

One of the rally's speakers was Elizabeth Whah, of Kelayres. She told 
the crowd that her son, Taylor Whah, died Sept. 13 from leukemia, and 
found relief from marijuana.

Reform, she said, "is not too late for other people. This is what he 
(Tyler) wanted."

Other speakers included Capt. Ray Lewis, a retired Philadelphia 
police officer turned activist; and local political candidates Aaron 
Kaufer, running as a Republican in the 120th District, and Betsy 
Summers, running as a Libertarian in the 121st District.
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