Harrisburg – May 12, 2015 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said today that he strongly supports legislation that legalizes the use of cannabis extracts to address certain medical conditions, including seizures, cancer, diabetes and chronic pain.
Costa released the following statement after today’s Senate vote. Senate Bill 3 passed the Senate by a vote of 40-7. The bill now goes to the state House of Representatives for consideration.
Sen. Costa’s comments:
“The legislation that legalizes the use of cannabis extracts to help those who are suffering from chronic pain, seizures, cancer, diabetes and other serious medical conditions is good news for patients, families and the medical community.
“For too long, patients and families dealt with pain and serious medical issues without being allowed to access medical cannabis to relieve suffering. Over the years, a litany of families, patients and medical personnel provided testimony about the usefulness of cannabis extracts as a means to relieve pain and anguish.
“The Medical Cannabis Act is a good, positive development that was crafted carefully to ensure that proper protections are in place and that the access is tightly regulated. The bill’s prime sponsors, Sens. Daylin Leach and Mike Folmer, have done a wonderful job in designing a measure that is balanced and responsible.
“With so many families-in-need waiting for relief for their loved ones through medical cannabis, today’s Senate vote is an encouraging step in the right direction. I look forward to the swift consideration and passage of this bill in the House.”
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