Pennsylvania Rep. Mark Cohen (D-Phila.) introduced his medical marijuana bill and issued this statement, which may be one of the finest things I’ve ever read from a politician on medical marijuana. (I’ve cleaned up some typos.)
Good morning – and thank you for coming to this important news conference.
We are here to discuss the introduction of legislation legalizing medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, as 13 states have done already and as others, including New York and New Jersey, are likely to do this year.
For this bill to become law, the legislature will need both empathy for long suffering Pennsylvanians and knowledge about the mitigating effects of marijuana on the progress of a variety of painful diseases.
Suffering from the ravages of a painful disease has been for some people, or is currently, a terrible reality.
But for those who have not experienced it, imagine for a moment that you, or someone you love, are in agonizing pain. There is a pill that could help, but it’s expensive, it’s addictive, and it has horrible side effects. There is another medication available that is not addictive, does not have horrible side effects and is affordable. Would you choose the latter?
Unfortunately, in Pennsylvania today you do not legally have that choice if that choice is marijuana. Nor can a physician even offer that choice to your loved one as a treatment option.
And that is why today, I am announcing that I am introducing House Bill 1393 to create a safe and legal medical marijuana system in Pennsylvania. I am doing this on behalf of the patients standing with me today and the thousands others asking for a safe, sensible way to manage their pain. People in pain should not be either forced to move out of state for treatment, or be allowed to be dependent on an illegal criminal infrastructure for pain relief.
Many have seen what chronic pain and disease does to people. Some of us have been in that position. Whether experiencing it ourselves, or being forced to helplessly watch a loved one in pain, we have sworn we would do anything we could to ease the suffering.
A problem is that many of today’s prescribed pain medications have severe side effects and reactions that can be so horrible some patients would rather have the pain. Many of today’s pain medicines are addictive, leaving people with terrible withdrawal difficulties.
Legal medical marijuana is a pain management medication that is known as being effective in relieving pain, having the least side effects, and is not generally physically addictive.
Medical marijuana was legally prescribed for many years until it became stigmatized during Prohibition. When public hearings were held on making marijuana illegal in the mid-1930s, the American Medical Association testified against it, pointing out the medical uses of marijuana.
Prohibition has ended for alcohol – it is now time to end the prohibition for the medical use of marijuana.
Once word came that I was planning to introduce this legislation, I began receiving phone calls and letters from patients telling me how much legal medical marijuana would greatly alleviate their suffering.
There are lots of people in every legislative district with cancer, wasting diseases and HIV – demanding we act to allow them to live their lives without pain. In listening to their stories, I know this is the right thing to do.
Medical marijuana also has unique properties that alleviate eye ailments such as glaucoma. When faced with the decision whether to let people go blind, or allow them to use the plant that will allow them to retain their sight longer, I choose that we let people with glaucoma have sight for as long as possible.
The only thing blocking this bill’s passage is the old image that marijuana has. It’s time to create a new, honest image for marijuana – one as a form of treatment that when prescribed by responsible doctors could help thousands of patients across this commonwealth.
The new image should be that of the senior citizen with cancer, the middle-aged person with HIV, the young person with multiple sclerosis, a grandparent with glaucoma, or a father with Crohn’s disease.
As you can see, we are not talking about people looking to get high – that’s the old stigma. Medical marijuana can be taken without that effect. We are talking about allowing patients to purchase medical-grade marijuana legally, and under the care of their doctor, rather than them having to purchase uncertain grade marijuana from criminal sources so they can reduce their pain and live their lives.
Opposition to this bill is based on fear and misinformation. Some legislators are hesitant to act, fearing there will be a voter backlash. However, there could be voter backlash for not supporting this bill because it’s what the public, and the voters want.
Polls are showing that public support for legal medical marijuana is 80 percent or more. This is an issue the vast majority of the public understands and supports.
I know this bill is not without controversy, but its intent is to help people -
- people who want to feel better;
- people who want to get better;
- people who want to return to work;
- people with cachexia, (kah-kek´se-ah) — the loss of weight and muscle mass caused by diseases like cancer and AIDS;
- people like a family member with epilepsy;
- people like your neighbor with cancer;
- people who only want to live their lives.
Such people must courageously face their disease each and every day. We in the legislature need to show a little courage on their behalf and pass this bill that will help to ease their suffering.
I introduce this bill, and I urge its passage. I am well aware that this will not be an easy effort. But it is an important effort. I am confident that we will ultimately prevail.
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Hi Jamie. I am so sorry to hear that you too are a sufferer of fibromyalgia. I am a 45 year old women that has been a sufferer for 11 years now. Others that do not suffer from this debilitating disease do not understand the constant pain involved. I have been and still am prescribed powerful pain medication that help but have never left me pain free.
Like you, I wake up everyday with muscle spasms,headaches, muscle tightness, stiffness, sharp shooting sensations throughout my body, muscle weakness,depression and the frustration of not being able to do the things that need done. I live day by day, never making future plans as I never know how I will feel one day to the next. Some days the pain is so unbearable that it leaves me bed ridden as it is too painful to even attempt to enjoy life.
I have had emg’s, spinal taps,MRI scans,CT scans, nerve conduction tests, a recent muscle biopsy, and many other expensive testing.Fibromyalgia mimics the symptoms of MS,lymes diseas and many other chronic, painful muscle disorders.
I have a daughter that is 23yrs. old and she has been a sufferer since she was 18years old. I have the greatest empathy for you as you still have the rest of your life ahead of you and I can’t imagine how it would have been for me to be a sufferer of this horrendous disease from that age on.
To the Politicians needed to vote “Yes” on legalization of medical marijuana:
In the past, I have tried marijuana for the only purpose of pain relief as it is so physically and mentally draining to live with pain on a daily basis. I have to admit that marijuana does indeed alleviate the pain of fibromyalgia. Of course as of yet this is not an option for me as marijuana is illegal in my state of Pennsylvania.
I have so much compassion for anyone that lives their life in pain on a daily basis as I know first hand how this affects a persons whole being.
Fibromyalgia has also affected my whole family. I cannot commit to family gatherings,weddings or funerals for that matter as I cannot predict how I will feel that day. I cannot be the mother that I want to be as this cruel disease holds you back from so much. I can’t even imagine living another ten years like this and some days don’t want to live another day with the pain. I am not suicidal but I do know if I were in a situation where I had to fight to live, I would not fight and just leave the pain behind.
I think that more politicians need to have more compassion when it comes to chronic disease that allows a person to suffer on a daily basis. I don’t wish anyone any situation or disease that causes chronic pain as it robs your whole life of happiness, planning for any future,hope and well being.
If any politician has ever seen a loved one suffer on a daily basis or themselves for that matter, I encourage them to consider legalization of medicinal marijuana for the mere purpose of helping a chronic pain sufferer to be able to enjoy their lives somewhat and to lessen the burden that every chronic pain sufferer carries with them.
I am against the legalization of marijuana for any other purpose than to be use medicinally. I believe God put this natural plant like so many others herbs on this earth in order for those that truly need it to make use of it. It can enrich so many lives when used only for medical reasons.
So please, you politicians in Pennsylvania that hold in your hands the power to vote for the legalization of the use of this natural drug for the medicinal purposes, think of the many others out their that can benefit from this natural drug.
Ask yourselves this question, “If myself, my child,my spouse,my mother,my father or any other person close to you suffered daily from a chronic pain disorder,and an herb would help them live a more acceptable life, would you not want to do all you can to alleviate there suffering”?
Well you can start by getting over the stigma that comes with marijuana and vote “Yes” to the legalization of medical marijuana..So many lives can be enriched just by a God given plant with pain relieving qualities.
Please consider my plea and the plea of others that are chronic pain sufferers..
i’m writing to you as a person who suffers every single day with fibromyalgia. i’m 18 years old and live the life of someone in their latest years. i can barely do anything, i can’t live a normal life. it seems a little far fetched but the simple legalization of this drug could do so much for me it is unbelievable. thank you so much for what you’re doing. the best of luck to you and all of your colleges. all the peace and love in the world. -pittsburgh
Awesome. Its good to see that the PA rep is completely for legalization of medical marijuana. Come on PA, make it happen for your citizens!
Until recently I lived in “Philly”, I sent a letter to Rep. Cohen about my situation. Here is a copy
To: Rep Mark Cohen
I am writing today about the proposed medical marijuana bill. I am a fully disabled spinal cord injured person and I would like this chance to explain my situation.
After more than a decade of opiate pain medication I can no longer use these very strong medicines. The side effects as well as tolerance become major problems. Let me explain further, large amounts of these pills over time cause the upper stomach valve to become damaged, thus causing G.E.R.D. or ‘ heart burn’ to become painfully serious. As the small intestine begins to become effected, the stomach will eventually back up, causing indigestion. Lack of appetite at this point, over time, causes wasting. As the lower intestine becomes effected, constipation/diarrhea become everyday events. I was prescribed over a time of years: Valium, Percoset, Tylenol, Oxycontin, Morphine Sulfate IR & ER, Vicodin, Codeine, etc, on and on and on. These pain meds although somewhat effective, the previously stated side effects become intolerable. Using medical marijuana instead of these toxic pharmaceuticals has greatly improved my life. I no longer use any opiate pain medication. I am able to, in my limited capacity, take care of myself with out supervision. I regularly injured my self while taking these toxic meds., and now after 3 years of cannabis use I no longer am doped up to the point of insensibility, but am able to truly function as a person. This plant has been life saving!
On top of everything else my federal disability check is above the state income cap. I am ineligible to receive additional state help with my health care. Every Dr. visit leaves a bill I cannot pay. Being able to potentially grow my medicine would go along way to help me cut the cost of my health care needs.
I am willing to come and meet with anyone on this subject including testifying to the legislature.
Passionately, your constituent…
Michael A. xxxxxxxx
xxxxxx Lancaster Ave.
Philadelphia Pa. 19104
I never heard back from his office and follow up emails from me have gone unanswered…….
peace out… Slash