State Senators Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) and Mike Folmer (R-Dauphin/Lebanon/York) announced the reintroduction of their medical cannabis legislation on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
The new bill, Senate Bill 3, is nearly identical to Senate Bill 1182 of the 2013-2014 Session, which passed the Senate on September 24, 2014, by a vote of 43-7.
Senate Bill 3 has 25 cosponsors, including 11 Republicans and 14 Democrats. It has been referred to the Senate State Government Committee. Senators Leach and Folmer are both members of the committee. Senator Folmer is also the Majority Chairperson of the committee.
Senate Bill 3 would allow patients who have a recommendation from their physician to purchase and use medical cannabis from centers licensed by a to-be-created State Board of Medical Cannabis Licensing. The growth, processing, and dispensing of medical cannabis would be regulated by the licensing board.
Senator Leach released the following statement upon the introduction of Senate Bill 3:
“Senator Folmer and I are joined by our Senate colleagues from both sides of the aisle today because we recognize what an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians already know. Medical cannabis is a safe and effective alternative to the powerful, addictive, and often ineffective narcotics that doctors already prescribe to cancer patients, children with seizure disorders, veterans suffering from PTSD, and others Pennsylvanians who suffer from terminal health problems. It is cruel to continue denying these people the medicine they need.
Senator Folmer and I also introduced the medical cannabis advocates to Governor Wolf and discussed our legislation with him. He was enthusiastic about our cause and told us to send him a medical cannabis bill as fast as possible. What a breath of fresh air.”
