Therapeutic Cannabis Growing in Pennsylvania

Chris Goldstein 5/24/09  

Seemingly against all odds we have a medical marijuana bill moving forward in Pennsylvania. There are only about a dozen states that have never considered the issue, ever: PA being one of them. 

Yet the quiet truth is that a myriad of factors over the last 4 months have put the odds decidedly in favor of reforming marijuana prohibition for medical therapy. 

 There has been a visible and dramatic shift in this country regarding the overall perception of marijuana. When it comes to therapeutic cannabis or “medical marijuana,” the arguments for reform are not just profoundly backed up by scientific evidence but are also painfully more clear in a down-economy. 

In PA, from the front lines I can tell you this: Awareness of medical cannabis is growing like corn in July. 

HB1393 was introduced to regulate medical marijuana for theraputic use. Built into the bill already is the ability for the Commonwealth to charge the state sales tax on material sold through Compassion Centers. Patients would also have the option of growing cannabis at home. 

Again, all of this is a completely new consideration for every member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Governor Rendell has already voiced support and nine Democratic legislators have signed on as co-sponsors. They include members of the Health and Human Service Committee where the bill was already assigned.  

I have personally spoken with several members of the committee and dozens of PA legislative staffers. Few have offered opposition; most have approached the topic seriously and with genuine curiosity.

The bill’s sponsor is a seasoned, successful politician and very active Facebook user with some cross-generational clout; PA Rep. Mark B. Cohen of Philadelphia. 

At the April 29th press conference in Harrisburg to introduce the bill Cohen, the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus included this in this statements: "It's time to create a new honest image for marijuana - one as a form of treatment that when prescribed [recommended] by responsible doctors could help thousands of people across the Commonwealth." 

At our group, Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana, we are in contact with dozens of patients and other experts across the state. Some of whom are coming forward to be interviewed by the press and interact with legislators. 

This particular group present very powerful arguments in favor of a state authorized medical cannabis program and indeed represent the new image of medical marijuana in PA.

Bradley D. Walter: HIV patient, near Scranton.

A gay man living with HIV Brad has found direct benefits from marijuana. Numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown therapeutic cannabis to be particularly effective for a variety of conditions that affect those with HIV. Brad will testify in public hearing at the PA Legislature. He is currently prescribed the synthetic THC pill Marinol that costs over $1200 per month and needs access to the more economical and medically effective treatment of whole-plant cannabis. 

Ed Pane: Certified Addictions Counselor, Hazelton.

This seasoned professional has worked his entire lifetime in the field of addiction treatment. Mr. Pane believes that medical marijuana is an important therapy that should be available for doctors to recommend to Pennsylvanians. He speaks about the myths associated with marijuana and is well schooled in the scientific facts surrounding cannabis as a treatment for debilitating medical conditions. In 33 years of addiction counseling, Ed has seen thousands of individuals though addiction recovery and challenges the assertion that allowing sick people to have marijuana will have any impact on general use of marijuana. 

Irvin Rosenfeld: federal medical marijuana patient

There are just four people in the United States who have received medical marijuana, supplied directly from the NIDA for 20 years. Irv is one of these few federal marijuana patients. He receives tins of 300 pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes filled with marijuana grown under NIH contract by the University of Mississippi. Irv has testified before numerous state legislative committees as they consider bills related to medical marijuana access.

Link: Patients Out of Time 

Jahan Marcu, Cannabinoid Researcher, Philadelphia

Currently at Temple Medical School in Philadelphia working on his PhD researching the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, Jahan previously investigated cannabinoid synergy at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute. He effectively translates complex scientific concepts to a lay audience. As a member of Americans for Safe Access's Medical and Scientific Advisory Board, Mr. Marcu represents the future of cannabinoid research. He has lectured on the subject of cannabinoids at Cannabis Cooperatives and at New College of California. At San Francisco State University, he investigated the therapeutic applicability of whole plant cannabinoid ratios, correlating these ratios to effects reported by medical cannabis patients and in clinical trials.

Link: Americans for Safe Access 

Patrick Nightingale Esq., Criminal Defense Attorney, Pittsburgh

A former Assistant District Attorney and now a member of the NORML Legal Committee who has seen dozens of marijuana cases in his practice, Mr. Nightingale speaks to the specifics of current prohibition sanctions and how they affect medical patients. He has also had experience with cases involving patients who have legitimate doctor recommendations from other states.

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Here’s another section of that introduction statement for HB1393 from PA Representative Mark B. Cohen (D-202) "We’re talking about allowing patients to purchase medical-grade marijuana a legally and under the care of their doctor rather than them having to purchase uncertain grade marijuana from criminal sources so they can reduce their pain and live their lives." 

Rep. Cohen’s statements were prescient as those types of patients are now contacting us at PA4MMJ. We are continuing to form local networks around the Commonwealth, so please if you or someone you know want to help, visit our website or contact us. 

Derek Rosenzweig and myself coordinate PA4MMJ in Philadelphia. I work on medical marijuana because it is the most heartbreaking aspect of cannabis prohibition. There are few social justice issues that can be solved easily with working precedents, but access to cannabis therapy is one thing that we can indeed change for the better. We can see the 13 other states that allow doctors and patients to have a choice in this proven treatment. 

Marijuana works for patients. Jail does not. 

If you live in PA and believe in this issue, please join us!

Links:

www.pa4mmj.org 

PA Rep. Mark B. Cohen’s Page

 Recently I did a radio appearance  on the topic of HB1393 at WHP AM 580 Talk Radio  in Harrisburg with RJ Harris in the Morning

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