On Monday, the Pennsylvania House adjourned for the year without considering a proposal to protect seriously ill patients who find relief from medical marijuana. Last month, the Senate overwhelmingly approved SB 1182, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act, in a 43-7 bipartisan vote. Despite overwhelming popular support, the House did not even grant the issue a hearing. Please email your lawmakers and ask them to prioritize this proposal in 2015.
Already, 23 states and the District of Columbia — including four out of six of Pennsylvania’s neighbors — allow seriously ill patients to use marijuana with their doctors’ recommendations. SB 1182 would have established a tightly controlled and regulated system, in which patients suffering from debilitating and potentially life-threatening conditions could safely obtain medical cannabis without the risk of legal repercussions. Because of the House’s failure to pass the compassionate bill, patients and their loved ones will be forced into the criminal market to obtain a medicine that is, for some, their last available option.
While we are disappointed that the bill did not pass this year, there is reason for hope. More than 80% of Pennsylvania voters support medical marijuana, as does Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf, who is leading in the polls. Thank you to everyone who has fought so hard for this bill, including the Campaign for Compassion, the Keystone Cannabis Coalition, and legislative champions Sen. Mike Folmer and Sen. Daylin Leach. Let your legislators know that we will be back next year, and we expect them to stand up for patients! Then share this email with your fellow Pennsylvanians.
Rachelle Yeung
Legislative Analyst
Marijuana Policy Project
