Medical Marijuana Debated in PA Legislature

Advocates and opponents of legalized medical marijuana stated their case at a state Capitol hearing. A bill before the House would allow patients to use marijuana with a doctor’s permission. The drug would be sold at licensed so-called “compassion centers.”
Patients would be limited to six plants or one ounce of marijuana at a time.
Those restrictions aren’t good enough for Sharon Smith, the founder and president of the anti-drug organization MOMSTELL

"When has smoking anything been good for your health?"

Smith doesn’t buy the argument marijuana can help ease the pain of seriously ill patients.

"House Bill 1393 ignores the fact that marijuana is an illegal drug with no recognized medical value."

Supporters of the bill told members of the Health and Human Services Committee that legalizing medical marijuana is a common-sense way to improve the quality of life for some terminally ill individuals.
Former Montgomery County Commissioner Ruth Damsker says the legislation wouldn’t have any impact on general drug use.
Damsker says if anything, medical marijuana could help parents convince their children not to mess with drugs.

"Treating marijuana as a powerful, medicinal drug for limited purposes will raise awareness that this is a serious drug, and not something to be taken for recreation."

The legislation would require registration with the Health Department.