Pa. House Speaker: Medical Marijuana Needs Full Vetting
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa., (CBS) -- Medical marijuana was on a fast track in the Pennsylvania Senate. But the speaker of the House says concerns of medical experts must be fully understood before there is action in his chamber.
A medical cannabis bill passed the Senate last year, but the two-year legislative session ended without House action. Medical marijuana raced through the Senate again earlier this year, only to again find the yellow flag waving in the House. Speaking to the Press Club in Harrisburg Monday, Allegheny County Republican Mike Turzai, the House speaker, cited a litany of medical organizations that have concerns.
"We care immensely about each and every citizen, and every person that's suffering. But we have to understand… Why are all of the medical experts so concerned about where we're heading?"
Turzai says the bill that passed the Senate is too "far-reaching." He did not, however, say whether he would use his power to stall medical marijuana in the House, saying everyone understands the need for a "full vetting."