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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 12, 2021 05:36 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Christopher M. Rabb and Rep. F. Todd Polinchock |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Removing DUI Penalties for Legal Medicinal Cannabis Use |
| In 2016, we voted to allow Pennsylvanians to legally use medicinal cannabis. Sadly, we failed to provide these patients the same privileges afforded to others who have legal prescriptions for a scheduled medication. Medicinal cannabis patients regularly contact our offices concerned that state law makes it illegal for them to drive. That is why we are introducing legislation to revise our outdated law and allow individuals who legally use medicinal cannabis to operate a motor vehicle. While our legislation protects medicinal cannabis patients, it does not extend to any illegal cannabis use. It applies to approved patients with a noncommercial driver’s license who use medicinal cannabis legally and are not impaired – the same as any other prescription medication. Thirty-four states now allow for some form of cannabis use, and many have updated their driving under the influence (DUI) laws to correspond with this. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania remains a state with a zero-tolerance policy on this subject. We allow patients to obtain needed medications, but unfairly prohibit them from operating a vehicle. It is past time this change. Please join us in supporting this necessary legislation and help to update our antiquated law. |
Introduced as HB900