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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 3, 2014 02:08 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Mike Folmer and Sen. Daylin Leach |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Reintroduction of Medical Cannabis |
| In the near future, we will reintroduce Senate Bill 1182 as passed by the full Senate: legislation to allow physicians in Pennsylvania to recommend medicinal cannabis to patients who would medically benefit from such a treatment; 21 states and the District of Columbia have similar laws. Cosponsors of SB 1182 as introduced were: Folmer, Leach, Teplitz, Ferlo, Fontana, Farnese, Wiley, Blake, White, Stack, Williams, Wozniak, Tartaglione, Schwank, Dinniman, Yudichak and Smith. Senators who supported SB 1182 when it passed the full Senate were: Alloway, Argall, Blake, Boscola, Brewster, Browne, Brubaker, Corman, Costa, Dinniman, Erickson, Farnese, Ferlo, Folmer, Fontana, Gordner, Greenleaf, Hughes, Kasunic, Kitchen, Leach, McIlhinney, Mensch, Pileggi, Rafferty, Scarnati, Schwank, Smith, Solobay, Stack, Tartaglione, Teplitz, Tomlinson, Vogel, Vulakovich, Wagner, Washington, White, Wiley, Williams, Wozniak, Yaw and Yudichak. The Senate-passed version of SB 1182 represented months of discussions, changes, and compromises with one goal in mind: helping those with medical challenges – especially children with seizure disorders – to benefit from a medicinal strain of cannabis. Some children suffer hundreds of seizures a day, making normal childhood development impossible and forcing parents to helplessly watch their children suffer. Prescribed narcotic cocktails of highly addictive and dangerous drugs have little effect on these disorders and often offer only a few weeks or months of pause in the decline of a child’s health. The emphasis of our efforts has focused on a strain of cannabis very high in Cannabidiols (CBD), a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and very low in Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Called “Charlotte’s Web,” this strain has been used to treat disorders with dramatic results that are rapid, non-intoxicating, and free of side effects for children using this medicine, as seen in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiShwotFJR8. Our legislation as previously passed by the Senate would allow patients who have a recommendation from their doctor to purchase and use medical cannabis from centers licensed by a to-be-created State Board of Medical Cannabis Licensing. The entire process would be regulated by licensing: medical cannabis growers, processors, and dispensers. In addition to promulgating regulations, the board would also be empowered to adopt a schedule of civil penalties for operating without a current license or occupation permit or for other violations. The board would have the power to revoke licenses for violations, refusing to adhere to an order of the board, or for conviction of a criminal offense. The board would also be able to issue cease and desist orders, order restitution, or issue a letter of reprimand or censures. Prohibitions in our legislation include:
The 2014 fiscal note found “no adverse fiscal impact” to the Commonwealth due to licensing fees ($50,000 per license for growers, processors, and distributors), renewal license fees ($5,000), and access card fees ($100 application fees and $50 annual renewal fees). If you believe it is cruel and irrational to deny people medicine to help them feel better, please join us in ensuring our sick friends and family members will have access to the best medicine available to relieve their pain and suffering. Thank you. |
Introduced as SB3