Pubdate: Sat, 26 Mar 2016
Source: Times-Tribune, The (Scranton PA)
Copyright: 2016 the Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.thetimes-tribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4440

PA. SENATE: HOUSE POT BILL FLAWED

HARRISBURG (AP) - Some key Senate backers of medical marijuana 
legalization are expressing concern about a marijuana bill passed by 
the House last week, raising the possibility of a delay in getting 
the drug into the hands of Pennsylvania patients suffering from 
conditions such as cancer and epilepsy.

Senate staff and lawyers found what they say are numerous flaws in 
the legislation passed by the House last week.

Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon, who sponsored the initial bill that 
overwhelmingly passed the Senate last year, might press for changes 
and another vote by both chambers instead of agreeing to the House 
version and sending it to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature.

"This would be like giving a child a toy at Christmas but then not 
giving a battery to make it work," said Mr. Folmer's chief of staff, 
Fred Sembach. "It's too important to enact a bill into law that may not work."

The House voted 149-43 for legislation that would set standards for 
growers, dispensaries and physicians.

The bill would allow people to buy marijuana from a dispensary after 
they have been certified to have one of 17 enumerated conditions.

Mr. Folmer's staff flagged what it said was imprecise language about 
the regulation of marijuana growers, processors and dispensers.
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