Pennsylvania native and mother, Latrisha Bentch, talked in front of supporters in Capitol Rotunda who requested the House to legalize marijuana for medical purpose. Bentch and many other speakers marked the last day of voting and are expecting a change in the law.
Cara Salemme was one among other Pa. mothers whose child needs marijuana treatment to control her son's seizures illness. According to her, marijuana legalization would make a big difference to his health.
The effort has been taking two years ago but resulted in delays. Currently, there are 23 states that legalize the use of marijuana in treating patients with various illnesses when other drugs can't. The gathering was hoped to make Pennsylvania the 24th state to use cannabis.
Begging the House to have a little compassion, Bentch delivered a heartfelt testimonial and hoped that her child's sufferings would end soon. Reported by the Pennlive that the lawmakers might have mistaken her kindness for weakness and requesting an immediate action on the bill. She also said that these mothers' decision to sit outside the House office was a prick and uncomfortable, but validating the act as 'a need to be done'.
Hours later, Pennlive reported that the House finally approved the bill after it's voted 149-46. The audience that included mothers and advocates, applauded in excitement celebrating of what they described as the right thing.
Primary co-sponsor of the bill, Senator Mike Folmer, expressed his gratitude upon the bill's approval stating that the citizens have been fighting for this.
The marijuana for medical purpose in Pennsylvania is expected to treat various conditions of illnesses including seizures, cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, neurological disorders and autism. It will take 18 months to finalize the program before hospitals can use it.
The bill, however, included circumstances for children under 18 which have to gain initial approval before being treated with marijuana. On the long run, the medical marijuana will also be applied to adults.
The medical marijuana legislation is now passed to Governor Tom Wolf. An article in the Philly Voice said that Wolf is proud and excited to put his signature on the bill. The governor hopes that the bill could be a medical relief to treat patients.
