Medical Marijuana Nearing a Vote in Pennsylvania Legislature
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- The chairman of a key state senate committee says he expects the panel will vote later this month on a bill to legalize medical marijuana in Pennsylvania.
At a second hearing today on medical marijuana, the state Senate Law and Justice Committee heard testimony from Irvin Rosenfeld, one of only a few people who get marijuana for medicinal purposes approved by the federal government.
He sat before the panel with his can of joints, opened to the view of those present. Like others, he said the state needs to approve medical marijuana now.
"You've got these kids with epilepsy. One epileptic seizure could kill a child," he said.
The chairman of the committee, state senator Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks County), says the committee will likely vote on the bill before summer recess and that it could be passed by the full Senate in the fall.
"I think it does have a lot of traction because we're taking the time to get it done right," he said.
Gov. Corbett, meanwhile, has softened his position on medical marijuana somewhat, announcing his support for a pilot project that would involve the use of a marijuana extract at children's hospitals.
