Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Bill Approved By House

A bill legalizing medical marijuana was approved Wednesday by the Pennsylvania House in a 149-43 vote.

The bill approval follows three days of deliberation and votes on several amendments. The final vote came after hours of discussion and comments from numerous representatives.

Supporters and naysayers both gave passionate pleas to back up their stances, including Rep. Jeff Pyle of the 60th District, who gave his personal account as a cancer survivor.

"When you’re laying there, looking at trays of food and you can’t touch them but you know that eating that stuff is your ticket home, it was tough. We have the chance today to improve the lives of kids and old people, like me," he said. His comments were met with applause.

Medical marijuana is used to treat seizures, nausea from cancer chemotherapy and other chronic illnesses, as well as alleviate muscle spasms from multiple sclerosis and chronic pain.

"Sick people don’t want to get high, they want to get better," said Republican Russ Diamond of the 102nd District.

Not all House lawmakers were on board with legalizing medical marijuana.

Rep. Bryan Barbin of the 71st District said while he was in favor of helping people who are ill, the bill as written will create additional problems, like open the door for people who are not ill to obtain access to the substance.

Rep. Steven Mentzer of the 97th District agreed with Barbin, saying there "needs to be a safer way."

The Senate passed a bill in May approving medical marijuana but would need to approve the House version before the legislation moves to Gov. Wolf's desk.

The governor, who said he will sign the legislation, applauded the action by the House.

“I applaud the Pennsylvania House for passing legislation to legalize medical marijuana, and I look forward to the Senate sending the bill to my desk. We will finally provide the essential help needed by patients suffering from seizures, cancer and other illnesses.”