Pubdate: Thu, 19 Nov 2015 Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA) Copyright: 2015 PG Publishing Co., Inc. Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/pm4R4dI4 Website: http://www.post-gazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/341 Author: Heather Shuker STALLING ON MARIJUANA VOTE I am a Pittsburgh mom, and my daughter, Hannah, suffers from LGS, a catastrophic form of pediatric epilepsy and a condition that can be treated with medical cannabis. Not only has cannabis been found to reduce or eliminate seizures, but treatments with high THC content also can be used as a safer alternative to dangerous rescue medications. Pennsylvania patients were promised a House vote on medical cannabis this fall, but patients like Hannah are still waiting. Even worse, it is rumored that when the House does act, the legislation will include a number of harmful provisions, including a 10 percent cap on THC. Placing a cap on THC is unnecessary and arbitrary. Every patient is different and requires different medication. A THC cap prevents access to countless safe and effective medications. It is like telling a patient, "There are 10 medications that may work for you, but you're only allowed to try this one." There is no justification to deny Hannah and other patients access to high-THC medical cannabis if that is the medication that works best for them. The Legislature should remove this restriction and quickly bring a compassionate, effective medical cannabis bill to the floor for a vote. Heather Shuker Pine - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom