Last Wednesday the Pennsylvania House of Representatives went ahead with a bill by a 149-43 vote that if enacted into law would allow medical doctors in the state to prescribe marijuana creams, gels, oils, ointments and pills, as well as cannabis in liquid form.
Although the Senate passed a previous version of the legislation by a 40-7 vote last May, it has since then been amended to limit the qualifying conditions.
Democratic Gov Tom Wolf said that if the measure reaches the governor’s office he would sign it into law. Wolf has long been supporter of legalizing medical cannabis and before the House voted, the governor encouraged lawmakers to approve the bill. “It is time to legalize medical marijuana because we should not deny doctor-recommended treatment that could help people suffering from seizures or cancer patients affected by chemotherapy,” “I urge quick action by the Legislature to legalize medical marijuana” he said last Tuesday.
The list of ailments that medical practitioners will be able to prescribe marijuana for include conditions such as AIDS, cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis, as well as chronic or intractable pain. It would also allow the state to regulate cannabis dispensaries and growing facilities.
This initiative would make Pennsylvania the 24th to legalized medical marijuana with another 10 states on the ballot for 2016.