Mar. 16, 2016

HARRISBURG-- Rep. Nick Miccarelli (R-Delaware) joined a majority of his colleagues in passing legislation to take Pennsylvania one step closer to allowing the terminally ill and those suffering other crippling diseases to be treated with medical marijuana.

The House amended Senate Bill 3 to establish the number of marijuana dispensaries that would be allowed to operate, and limit the use of marijuana to those with a serious illness who also have a doctor’s referral.

“As legislators, we must allow doctors the ability to make the best decision for the treatment of their patients, especially if that treatment can grant relief to someone suffering through chemotherapy or stricken with intractable seizures,” Miccarelli said. “I applaud my colleagues for recognizing medical cannabis as a viable treatment for several ailments that have eluded effective treatment. And I especially applaud the brave doctors and families that have shared their stories in order to bring about change on this important issue that will benefit sick Pennsylvanians.”
 
 
As amended in the House, the bill would limit medical marijuana to patients who have been certified by a physician to have one of a list of qualifying conditions, including glaucoma, AIDS, cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.

Patients would be allowed to take the drug as pills, oils and liquids. The drug could not be smoked nor could marijuana dispensaries sell edible forms of marijuana. It would be up to the patient to add it to their own food.

The grower-processors would pay a 5 percent tax on gross receipts from dispensaries.

Under the amendment, the state would allow 25 marijuana growers, which would grow the plants indoors in secure facilities located within the Commonwealth. There would be 50 dispensaries. Each dispensary would have up to three locations.

The legislation would also establish an advisory board within the Department of Health to oversee the state’s marijuana law and make any necessary changes to the law three years after the law commences.

The bill now returns to the Senate for a final vote.

Representative Nick Miccarelli
162nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: David Foster
267.207.0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com
RepMiccarelli.net / Facebook.com/RepMiccarelli
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