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Pa. set to approve medical marijuana

State Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery, gets a hug Wednesday from a supporter of medical marijuana legislation.
House approves bill; Wolf says he'll sign

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania is set to become the latest state to legalize medical marijuana as the Legislature sent a bill to the governor on Wednesday after parents of children suffering from debilitating seizures circulated the Capitol urging lawmakers to act.

The House vote, 149-46, set off cheers in the ornate chamber and capped several years of door-to-door lobbying by parents. It’s more than a year and a half since the state Senate first approved a medical marijuana bill in 2014. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, calling Wednesday’s legislation historic, said he will sign it Sunday.

Meanwhile, in Ohio, lawmakers promised to legalize medical marijuana by the summer, before voters get a chance to decide a ballot question in the fall election.

Pennsylvania would become the 24th state to legalize a comprehensive medical marijuana program, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The issue has been driven by parents who believe a marijuana oil extract can help relieve the daily seizures that have left their children in wheelchairs or functioning far below their grade levels. Some parents say they worried the next seizure could be lethal and had traveled countless times to the Capitol to press their case.

Diana Briggs, of Export, near Pittsburgh, called her husband with the news moments after watching the House vote.

“Bringing home a win tonight,” Briggs, wiping away tears, told him.

Briggs said she hopes to help her 15-year-old son, Ryan Briggs, who suffered a brain injury at birth and has had daily seizures that have left him in a wheelchair, unable to talk or walk. Nothing has helped much, including pharmaceuticals, stem cell therapy, diet or electrical nerve stimulation therapy, Briggs said.

Christine Brann, of suburban Hummelstown, said every day without a medical marijuana law in Pennsylvania is a risk for people who believe their suffering children may not survive another day.

“Every day we roll the dice on our child’s or our loved one’s life,” said Brann, whose 5-year-old son, Garrett Brann, has a severe form of epilepsy known as Dravet syndrome.

The bill sets standards for tracking marijuana plants, certifying physicians and licensing growers, dispensaries and physicians. Patients could take marijuana in pill, oil, vapor or liquid form but would not be able to legally obtain marijuana to smoke or to grow their own.

One opponent, Rep. Matt Baker, R-Tioga, warned that the bill violates federal drug laws and that the state would see a drastic impact on addiction.

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