"If the legislature sends him a well crafted medical marijuana bill Governor Rendell said he will sign it." That was the exact statement from Governor Rendell to Examiner.com.
Last week, Examiner.com had asked Press Secretary Gary Tuma "What is Governor Rendell's position on Pennsylvania House Bill 1393?" HB1393 is also known as the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. It provides for the medical use of marijuana and repeals provisions of Pennsylvania law that prohibit and penalize marijuana use.
Hearings on HB1393 will begin on December 2 in Harrisburg. It is unclear whether or not the Governor's legal staff or department will attend. The hearings are open to the public.
Q: Does Governor Rendell support medical marijuana?
A: Yes - if the bill is well crafted.
The perception of politicians is that the bill won't pass because Western Pennsylvanians are too conservative and won't support it.
However if you ask almost anyone this question you will find that they do support medical marijuana. Ask yourself and your family members this key question:
If your mother or other loved one was suffering from a painful and debilitating disease for which there was no medication that provided adequate relief and the doctor recommended trying medical marijuana, do you think the government should have the right to deprive your loved one of a treatment that might help them?
American Medical Association House of Delegates - text of medical marijuana proposal 11/10/09
Pennsylvania Health and Human Services decides medical marijuana has merit
Cannabis can affect neuropathic pain medical marijuana and multiple sclerosis
Pittsburgh NORML meeting November 19 at the Shadow Lounge, East End aka East Liberty
Comments
This is pretty much the same response that he gave in (I think) 2006 when he was asked. Rendell was never someone we thought would oppose it, and given that HB 1393 is very well crafted (minus a few parts that need amendments), I've always believed that he'd sign it.
Governor Rendell has previously indicated his support for medical marijuana. But his opponent Dan Onorato (Executive of Allegheny County) declined to give a statement last week. PA Voters should know that Dan Onorato's campaign manager told me that he couldn't see anything on Ed Rendell's website stated that Rendell was on record in support of medical marijuana. That is why I called for a confirming statement from Governor Rendell. Perhaps Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato will commit one way or the other now that Pennsylvania Governor Rendell has reconfirmed his position. Also, Pittsburghers have been reluctant to go vocal on HB 1393 & so it is important that they are aware that Governor Rendell will sign the bill. Mark Cohen has told me that without the support of Western Pennsylvania 1393 will not pass. In Western Pennsylvania, folks are not yet aware that the bill has been proposed. The mainstream media have kept hush hush. And the politicians are very quiet on the issue.
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