HEARING EXPLORES WHETHER MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGAL MEDICINE IN PA.

HARRISBURG - A House committee waded through a thicket of health,
ethical and legal issues Wednesday during a first-time hearing on a
bill to legalize the medical use of marijuana.

The hearing before the Health and Human Services Committee featured
testimony from individuals with a wide range of views about an issue
that has gained headway in a number of western states, but until now
has not garnered much attention in Pennsylvania.

The measure by Rep. Mark Cohen, D-202, Philadelphia, would provide
for state licensing and inspection of "compassion" centers where
marijuana can be used with a doctor's recommendation by patients
suffering from HIV, AIDS, cancer and other illnesses.

It would provide patients with immunity from arrest if they have a
registry identification card and have no more than six marijuana
plants and one ounce of marijuana in their possession. The state
would levy a sales tax on the sale of marijuana for medical use if
the bill becomes law.

Mr. Cohen and supporters of the legislation argued it would ease the
pain and suffering of sick people and provide a medical alternative
to prescription drugs that have adverse side effects.

But opponents, including state Attorney General Tom Corbett, a
Republican gubernatorial candidate, said the legislation would weaken
existing drug laws and make a dangerous substance more available.

The director of a Hazleton treatment center for substance abuse gave
testimony in favor of the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Edward Pane, CEO of Serento Gardens Alcoholism and Drug Services
Inc., told the panel that patients are unlikely to develop a physical
dependence by using limited amounts of marijuana. He said that
research has discounted fears that marijuana use is a gateway to harder drugs.

"Concerns that the medical use of marijuana will spur individuals
into the world of chemical addiction are baseless," added Mr. Pane, a
part-time instructor on addictions studies at the University of Scranton.

Rep. Matt Baker, R-68, Wellsboro, ranking Republican on the panel,
said federal health officials have found little evidence that
marijuana offers a medical benefit. Regardless of what state laws are
enacted, federal laws make possession of marijuana a crime, added Mr.
Baker, citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that state medical
marijuana laws don't protect users from federal law enforcement agencies.

"I can't support the legalizing of medical marijuana," he added.

A dozen states have laws permitting marijuana use for medical purposes.

The legislation would require medical users to pay an annual $50 fee
for a registry card and prohibit them from smoking marijuana on
school grounds, public parks, public transportation and areas where
cigarette smoking is banned.

Mr. Cohen estimated the annual state revenue yield from sales taxes
and fees at $25 million.

The committee plans more hearings on the bill, but it faces a long
road to passage.