Pubdate: Mon, 05 May 2014
Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA)
Copyright: 2014 Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://triblive.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460
Author: Patrick Nightingale

TIME FOR MARIJUANA REFORM

Gov. Tom Corbett has reversed his absolute refusal to consider 
medicinal marijuana, stating his support for a very limited medicinal 
marijuana bill that would give qualifying children with severe 
seizure disorder access to cannabidiol at research hospitals in 
Pittsburgh and Hershey.

We will continue to support comprehensive cannabis reform in the 
commonwealth, starting with the passage of Senate Bill 1182, so all 
Pennsylvanians with qualifying conditions have the ability to discuss 
cannabis as a treatment option with their physicians.

We applaud the governor for acknowledging that cannabis strains high 
in cannabidiol have medicinal benefit and can help children suffering 
from Dravet Syndrome and intractable seizure disorder.

But we are sorely disappointed that thousands of Pennsylvanians 
continue to suffer while Mr. Corbett inches forward in the most 
cautious manner possible.

Twenty-one states have legalized medicinal cannabis and none of them 
has experienced, in the governor's words, "a pathway to greater 
addiction issues."

The evidence supporting the medical efficacy of cannabis is 
overwhelming. Regrettably, the only real path forward for our state 
is a change in administration. And, according to poll numbers, that 
appears highly likely in November.

Patrick Nightingale

Pittsburgh

The writer is the executive director of the Pittsburgh chapter of the 
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom