I know of 2 cases, one being my brother who’s tank was hit with a rocket propelled grenade in Afghanistan while serving his country was flown home to the states with hearing loss, significant brain damage, back injury that will be life long, and PTSD, was prescribed over 10 different pills (pain meds, depression medication, and much more) ALL highly addictive especially that Zanex, and OXY he was prescribed, has now went to friends that grow ALL NATURAL weed and started smoking small amounts and has now STOPPED taking ALL of his medications and is a happier, pain free person.

He can now spend time and play with his 3 children and not worry if he is going to be stuck in bed the next day or worrying if the unnecessary amounts of medication he WAS on will affect him while trying to enjoy his family!

The other person I know was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer of the lung,liver, and cancer has now spread to numerous other places in his body. Over 3 yrs ago, he was told he had 6 months to live. He was started on chemo and he started smoking weed. He has been able to eat, keep a steady weight, no vomiting, and kept all of his hair. His doctor- cannot legally advise him to smoke, but he knows he does it, so keep doing it, because he has now been able to under go chemo and help kill off the chemo and has been able to stop the bad affects to the chemo!!!

I have smoked a hit or two here and there when feeling stressed and anxious from being a new parent and tired and it has done nothing but relax me and help me sleep and I have had NOTHING bad happen, actually it has helped more than anything.

I would rather see people smoking marijuana to help with things, than being ADDICTED to meds like Zanex, Vicoden, OXY, or other HIGHLY addictive non-natural chemical medications.

In closing, I feel that legalizing weed would also NOT support street dealers, but rather STOP them, because the people that were buying are now going to be able to get it legally!!! …

SO here is a fix for the government- How about we legalize WEED and GET RID OF WELFARE AND FOOD STAMPS for those who just can’t get their lazy ass up and get a job! And then that would also force alot of the dealers to get REAL jobs!!

Marijuana has a large potential as a medicine and more awareness and acceptance is called for. In Summary, legalize it!

Heroin and cocaine were both used at one point in America for simple things like toothaches. I see no benefit from any other illegal drug than weed. It is always used in it’s natural form without added chemicals needed.

Pennsylvania could be making much more money taxing this drug than they are fighting it. I have the pleasure of knowing Charles Rocha and must say his statements are true.

Furthermore I think the senate needs to sit down and review the facts from science and not the propoganda given out which changes year to year.

I suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and deal with these problems everyday. There are ceratain things that make me happy, and content with this short life. I don’t think its fair for GRANDMA and GRANDPA to be making judgements on a way of life that they essentially know nothing about.

As far as marijuana leading to other drugs (”Gateway”), I cannot believe that it does such. It is an individual’s personality and behaviors which dictate such.

How could it possibly be more harmful than some of the current “Legal” medications out there?

This War on Minorities, this legalized racism really needs to end. Marijuana use by responsible adults should not be punished…

End Marijuana Prohibition now! None of this “for medical use” intermediary steps, just skip the middle man and legalize it. You know that it will be legalized (or tolerated) within 5 years or mass ‘medical-use’ legislation.

The AMA just changed its stance on the medical benefits of cannabis and it has been proven over and over again that Cannabis is not addictive and you dont suffer chem. dependence like oh lets see, ALL of today’s legal prescription pain meds are in line with what MJ would be used for.

Old, white, soccer moms need to let go of the fact that their kids did drugs because of natural human inquisitive nature, not from the inherent evil of a plant…how ridiculous is that? it will pass eventually. 1 oz and 6 plants is NOTHING really, anyone who knows anything about marijuana will tell you that and those are the people who should be making decisions…not the pundits of an antiquated war on culture which is what this is all really about.

Old ideas, old people, no progress. Thank you PA legislation for at least having the hearing about this.