Download Medical pot has advocate in Pennsylvania House

Medical pot has advocate in
Pennsylvania House
BY MELISSA DANIELS | Monday, July 27, 2015, 11:15 p.m.
For the first time since the issue landed inside the state Capitol, the House has a road map to legalizing medical
marijuana.
House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana County, convened a 12-member bipartisan coalition of House
members this month. He said his intention is to have a bill that passes muster with the Senate and Gov. Tom
Wolf “that will be signed into law.”
The vote could be taken as early as August, “if we're ready to go,” Reed said in a meeting with the TribuneReview. “I just really want to get the product into the hands of folks that can benefit from it from a medical
perspective.”
Reed, who rose to the majority leader spot this year, previously expressed his support to legalize marijuana for
medical purposes.
The issue has never been voted on in the House.
Plans to legalize marijuana for select illnesses and set up licenses for growers, distributors and sellers have
passed the state Senate twice, including a 40-7 vote in May.
That bill landed in the House Health Committee. Its chairman, Rep. Matt Baker, R-Tioga County, was against
holding a vote because federal law prohibits sale, possession, production and distribution of marijuana, and
medical groups such as the American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians and
American Psychiatric Association oppose legalization.
Grassroots lobbying from the likes of parent-driven Campaign 4 Compassion and the fledgling Pennsylvania
Medical Cannabis Society continued.
Rep. Nick Miccarelli, R-Delaware County, in June tried to force a vote from the full House: 37 lawmakers —
including 12 Republicans — signed the petition, but Reed shifted the bill out of Baker's committee and into the
House Rules Committee before Miccarelli could present it.
Patrick Nightingale, executive director of legalization advocacy group Pittsburgh NORML, said he believes
lawmakers will act, as the issue resonates with the public.
A June poll from the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster showed 87
percent of registered voters favor allowing adults to legally use marijuana for medical purposes.
Nightingale called Reed “an honest broker” in moving discussions forward, but he remains concerned that the
final product will be too restrictive on who controls marijuana production and sales.
“I'm optimistic they will have something that is workable,” Nightingale said. “The question is whether or not
that is the best language, or whether it's going to be something as patient-friendly as we need.”
Wolf's spokesman, Jeffrey Sheridan, said the governor, who supports legalization, “hopes the Legislature will
get to work and pass a medical marijuana bill now.”
Opposition remains. The Pennsylvania Medical Society cites the need for more research before putting pot into
the hands of patients. Speaking to the Pennsylvania Press Club in Harrisburg on Monday afternoon, Speaker of
the House Mike Turzai, R-Marshall, said the Senate-passed medical marijuana bill needs to be “fully vetted” in
the House because of concerns raised by numerous medical groups.
Republicans in the new working group are Kerry Benninghoff, Jim Cox, Mike Regan, Sheryl Delozier, Aaron
Kaufer, Ron Marsico and Jesse Topper. Democrats are Joseph Petrarca, Ed Gainey, Mary Jo Daley, Peter
Schweyer and Dom Costa.
One challenge includes making sure the system is tightly regulated, ensuring only legitimate patient usage.
Reed said he envisions any system to be temporary, pending federal action.
“I think we'd all like to see the federal government do what they need to do,” Reed said, “but I don't think we're
willing to wait for the federal government to get their act together.”
Forty-one states have legalized medical marijuana in some form, including cannabidiol oil, according to the
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
“Hopefully, the federal government will get its act together, and we can dissolve the system we create,” Reed
said. “We want to create a system that can bridge the gap, and when the gap is done, it can go away and it can
go complete into the private hands.”
http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/8795461-74/medical-marijuana-reed
Pennsylvania medical marijuana
hopes are in hands of bipartisan panel
By Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com
on July 07, 2015 at 8:37 PM, updated July 07, 2015 at 8:51 PM
A group of Pennsylvania lawmakers is working to make sure a medical marijuana proposal doesn't
go up in smoke, again.
The state Senate in May approved Senate Bill SB3 to create a medical marijuana program, but
that legislation stalled in a state House of Representatives committee led by an opponent to the
measure.
Then late last month, the legislation was referred to a new House committee, led by House
Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana. He has said he is open to legalizing cannabis for medicinal
purposes, while saying some House members are uncomfortable with the Senate proposal.
This new working group of lawmakers is tasked with getting the legislation approved and sent to
Gov. Tom Wolf, a supporter of the proposal.
"This bipartisan working group is getting together to try and craft legislation that would get 102
votes in the House," said Steve Miskin, spokesman for the House GOP leadership, on Tuesday.
Pennsylvania senators during the last legislative session also approved a measure creating a
medical marijuana program, but that session ended without a House vote. The proposal was
reintroduced in January in the Senate by lawmakers including state Sen. Mike Folmer, R -Lebanon,
a member of the working group.
According to Pittsburgh NORML, an advocate for marijuana law reform, the other members of the
group are Republican Reps. Jim Cox, Mike Regan, Ron Marsico, Sheryl Delozier and Jesse
Topper and Democratic Reps. Joseph Petrarca, Ed Gainey, Mary Jo Daley, Dom Costa and Peter
Schweyer, whose 22nd District covers part of Lehigh County.
There is no timetable for the working group to draft new legislation or an amendment to the Senate
bill during the 2015-16 session, Miskin said.
The Senate proposal legalizes the prescription of cannabis for relief from certain conditions, to be
consumed through vaporization, oils, ointments, tinctures, liquids, gels, pills and similar
substances — as well as homemade edible products. Smoking marijuana would remain illegal,
even for medicinal purposes.
According to a statement from Pittsburgh NORML, the pro-medical marijuana groups
Campaign4Compassion and Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis Society recommend the working
group use broader language for the inclusion of qualified medical conditions.
"We strongly urge members of this medical cannabis working group to take these factors into
consideration as we move closer to becoming the 25th state to legalize medical cannabis and the
first state to have a comprehensive, clearly defined and well-regulated medical cannabis program,"
Pittsburgh NORML stated.
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2015/07/pennsylvania_medical_marijuana_10.html
Here are the facts on medical marijuana in Pa.
By David Wenner | [email protected]
on June 17, 2015 at 8:00 AM, updated July 05, 2015 at 9:31 AM
Note: this article was updated to reflect the latest developments as of 12 p.m. on July 2, 2015
Q: What's the status of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania?
A: On July 1, the issue took on new urgency. A task force began focusing on devising a bill that can quickly
pass the House and make it to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf, who has said he would sign it. The task force is
working with two bills, SB 3, which passed the Senate 40-7 in May, and a new House bill, HB 1432. There
is near 90 percent support for medical marijuana among Pennsylvania residents, and strong, bi-partisan
support in the House. State Rep. Mike Regan, R-Dillsburg, a task force member, said he believes a bill
might be passed before legislators leave for the summer. Regan, a former U.S. Marshal, has been asked by
House leaders to play a key role in the bill, apparently for reasons including his ability, as a former law
enforcement officer, to assure lawmakers medical marijuana won't be used illegally.
Q: If there's such strong support, why was there such a delay in even holding a vote?
A: The Senate bill sat for about six weeks in the committee of state Rep. Matt Baker, R -Tioga, who argued
there a lack of research showing benefits and safety of medical marijuana. He refused to allow a vote. But
House leaders apparently decided support within the House and the public was too high, and the bill was
moved to a different committee.
Q: It it true there's a lack of research?
A: It depends on whom you ask. It's fair to say there is a lack of studies that meet the standards commonly
used in the approval of drugs in the United States. There's good reason for that — the U.S. government lists
marijuana as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has no medical benefit, high potential for abuse, and can't be
used safely even under a doctor's supervision. That makes it hard to conduct marijuana research in the
United States. Still, there's widespread agreement marijuana doesn't belong on Schedule I. And about 20
years ago researchers discovered a system of receptors in the brain which respond to various chemicals in
marijuana. (This is the endocannabinoid system.) That prompted a burst of research around the world.
Q: What does the research say?
A: According to WebMD, the more recent research includes 13 studies done at the University of California
in San Diego between 2000 and 2010. The conclusion was that chemicals contained in marijuana may be
useful medicines for some conditions, and deserve further research. Since the 1960s, a great deal of researc h
has taken place in Israel, where medical marijuana is legal, and where doctors, and the government, believe
marijuana has assorted proven medical benefits. Many medical organizations have taken a stance on medical
marijuana, and their positions vary. For example, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, which represents
doctors, opposes legalizing medical marijuana at this point, citing lack of research. However, the medical
society favors removing marijuana from Schedule I, to open the door to more research. Th e Pennsylvania
State Nurses Association supports the legalization bill. At a recent local forum on the subject, Dr. Robert
Campbell, the president of the Pennsylvania Society of Anesthesiologists, said doctors presently have no
way of knowing exactly what marijuana does inside the body, or even what dose would be appropriate. Dr.
William Trescher, the director of pediatric neurology at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center,
acknowledged a shortage of conventionally-accepted studies, but argued there are sufficient studies, along
with the experiences of many people, to warrant making marijuana available as a medicine. Trescher treats
children with severe seizures which can't be controlled with approved medications, and who suffer
dangerous side effects from those powerful drugs. He believes parents of those children need the option of
trying medical marijuana-derived treatments, which seem to be helping some children in Colorado.
Q: What exactly would SB 3 allow?
A: (Note: as of July 2, it seemed SB 3 was the bill mostly likely to provide the framework for a final bill) It
would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana-derived substances to treat a dozen conditions, including cancer,
epilepsy and seizures, ALS, multiple sclerosis, post traumatic stress disorder, HIV/AIDS and glaucoma. In
addition, the Pennsylvania Department of Health could authorize additional conditions.
Q: Would children being treated for seizures be given marijuana to smoke?
A: No. Smokable forms of marijuana aren't allowed by SB 3. Marijuana-derived medications would largely
take the form of oils and liquid extracts, which could be taken in the form of droplets, or vaporized, or
consumed in several other approved methods.
Q: What would prevent medical marijuana from being used by people who aren't sick and just want
to get high?
A: People under the treatment of a doctor who believes medical marijuana is appropriate for them would
obtain a medical cannabis card. Growers, processors and dispensers would be licensed, and their employees
would be certified. Presumably, this would allow people who possess marijuana for non-approved purposes
to be prosecuted.
Q: Where would the medical marijuana come from?
A: Pennsylvania. SB 3 calls for licensing 65 growers, 65 processors and 130 dispensaries. Ho wever, HB
1432 would only allow up to five organizations, which each handling growing processing and distributing.
Q: Would medical marijuana be taxed?
A: Yes. SB 3 calls a six percent "surcharge" which would be paid before the medical marijuana is purcha sed
by the patient. HB 1432 also would impose a tax, and specifies the tax would be paid before the medical
marijuana is purchased by the patient.
Q: How many other states allow medical marijuana?
A: 23 states and Washington, D.C.
Q: Would medical marijuana be covered by health insurance?
A: Probably not. Medical marijuana isn't approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which makes
unlikely it would be a covered drug on health insurance plans.
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/sb_3_folmer_baker_regulations.html
Medical Marijuana: the Myths and Realities
Marijuana has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 3,000 years.
By Yvette C. Terrie | Contributor April 14, 2015, at 9:45 a.m.
Marijuana, also known as cannabis, has been used for more than 3,000 years for the treatment and management
of pain, digestive issues and psychological disorders. Despite the fact that marijuana is thought to be useful for
treating several medical conditions and symptoms, there is great debate about its safety and efficacy. The Food
and Drug Administration has not approved marijuana for any medical condition, yet a growing number of states
are legalizing its use for the treatment and management of certain medical conditions.
Currently, medical marijuana is legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia, and recreational use of the drug
in small quantities is legal in Washington and Colorado. All the states that have legalized medical marijuana
require a doctor’s approval, and all states but Washington require either an ID card that needs to be shown at a
dispensary or enrollment in a patient registry. Many of the states that allow medical marijuana use have an
online application process and require a patient fee. In addition to receiving an ID card, patients in most states
are required to obtain a signed document from their physician indicating the condition being treated and that
medical marijuana is the recommended treatment. Laws regarding the use of medical marijuana for treating
specific conditions vary by state, and there are restrictions regarding the amount of marijuana that can be
dispensed at each visit.
For What Conditions Is Medical Marijuana Used?
The most common reasons for medical marijuana use are relieving pain, controlling chemotherapy-related
nausea and vomiting and stimulating appetite in patients with cancer and/or HIV/AIDS. Additionally, a 2014
study by the American Academy of Neurology reported that medical marijuana may be beneficial in easing
some of the symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis.
Glaucoma has been treated using medical marijuana since the 1970s, and studies show that medical marijuana
decreases intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. Additional research by the National Eye Institute
concluded that although IOP is lowered following medical marijuana use, the pressure decrease is short-lived
(typically three to four hours). This short period of relief is a major drawback, and many health care
professionals prefer the traditional therapeutic approaches of prescription medication and surgical procedures
because they have proved to be effective for treating glaucoma. In June 2014, the American Academy of
Ophthalmology stated that it does not recommend marijuana or other cannabis products for the treatment of
glaucoma.
Results from a clinical study published in the journal Neurology reported that medical marijuana may benefit
individuals with chronic pain, nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy; lower IOP in those with
glaucoma; and reduce spasm-related pain and painful burning and numbness associated with multiple
sclerosis. Results from some studies also have shown that medical marijuana may be beneficial in treating
neuropathic pain.
Scientists are exploring whether the active ingredients in marijuana may be beneficial and are investigating its
use for treating neurologic conditions such as seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and
Parkinson’s disease, but more research is needed.
How Is Medical Marijuana Administered?
If your doctor thinks you're a candidate for the use of medical marijuana, he or she will determine the
appropriate dosage and frequency. Medical marijuana is available in many forms and can be smoked, vaporized,
taken orally in pill or liquid extract form, brewed into a tea or added to certain foods.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, research is focusing on the two main chemicals in
marijuana: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. These chemicals are found in different ratios in the
marijuana plant. THC is thought to stimulate appetite and decrease nausea, but it may also reduce pain and
inflammation. As a result of research on the active chemicals in marijuana, the FDA has approved two
medications that are synthetic forms of THC, including Marinol and Cesamet, for treating nausea and vomiting
related to chemotherapy in patients who have failed to respond to traditional antiemetic treatments. Marinol is
also indicated for the treatment of significant weight loss in patients with HIV/AIDS. Both of these agents are
available by prescription only in capsule form.
Research has shown that CBD is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid that may be beneficial in decreasing pain and
inflammation, controlling epileptic seizures and possibly even treating psychoses and addictions. Moreover, an
investigational drug that contains cannabidiol (Epidiolex; not yet approved by the FDA) is being studied for
treatment of the childhood epilepsy conditions Dravet’s syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Another
drug, Sativex, a combination of THC and CBD that is administered by oral spray, is being investigated in
clinical trials for treating pain in patients with advanced cancer and for treating spasticity in those with multiple
sclerosis.
Are There Adverse Effects to Using Medical Marijuana?
The effect of marijuana on an individual’s ability to function is not the drug’s only side effect. Although the
long-term effects of marijuana are not fully understood, results of some studies show that long-term use may be
associated with cardiovascular and respiratory problems. Study results show that marijuana contains hundreds
of compounds that may damage the lungs – an estimated 50 to 70 percent more cancer-causing chemicals than
are in tobacco products – and the American Lung Association reports that marijuana smoke releases 33 cancercausing chemicals.
Research has also shown that regular and frequent use of marijuana, particularly in high doses, can cause
problems with short-term memory and concentration. According to the National Cancer Institute and the
National Institutes of Health, possible adverse effects of marijuana may include dizziness, increased heart rate,
low blood pressure, problems with short-term memory, decreased attention span, hallucinations, depression,
issues with problem-solving skills, impairment of motor and cognitive skills, and insomnia. Some individuals
may also experience dry mouth, red eyes, anxiety, low blood glucose levels and drowsiness.
Conclusion
Debate continues regarding the use of marijuana for treating and managing certain medical conditions, and
more research is clearly needed. Individuals interested in the medical use of marijuana should discuss this issue
with their primary health care provider, understand the potential for adverse effects and and weigh the risks
versus the benefits. Just as with any other medication, you need to be informed about its proper use, side effects
and potential interactions with other medications. The most important thing you can do is have an open dialogue
with your primary health care provider to learn the facts about the use of medical marijuana in your state and
the available treatment options.
For more information on state medical marijuana laws, visit the National Conference of State Legislatures
website or call your state’s Department of Health and Human Services to learn more about the laws regarding
medical marijuana where you live.
Note: This article was originally published on Feb. 17, 2015 on PharmacyTimes.com. It has been edited and
republished by U.S. News. The original version, with references, can be seen here.
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2015/04/14/medical-marijuana-the-myths-andrealities