“I would like to thank my colleague Sen. Folmer for his action on this issue and his compassion for the Pennsylvanians who need this alternative form of medicine,” Leach said. “It’s time that we help these individuals, to end their pain and to end their suffering. I invite my fellow legislators on both sides of the aisle to join us, to put politics aside, and to allow people to take advantage of the multitude of benefits this medicine has to offer.”
S.B. 1182, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act, would legalize the use of medical cannabis by patients as prescribed by attending physicians. The introduction of this bill marks the first time in Senate history that a medical cannabis bill has been drafted with bipartisan support.
In a statement released to the press today, Folmer added, “Who are we to deny a better quality of life to children suffering from hundreds of seizures a day? Who are we to deny less pain to a cancer patient made terribly ill from chemotherapy treatments? There are other highly addictive drugs prescribed to help with pain and suffering, and I believe the use of medical cannabis is another option, a good option.”
Previously, Leach has introduced legislation that would legalize and regulate the sale of marijuana in the Commonwealth, and he has proposed a medical marijuana bill each session for the past three years.
The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act is still being drafted but Leach said the senators plan to introduce the bill in the near future.