Supporters of medical marijuana are keeping the pressure on state House lawmakers who have remained cool to efforts to legalize the substance.
Republican Sen. Mike Folmer of Lebanon County addressed medical marijuana supporters who rallied this week at the Capitol.
“This is something we should be doing -- this is something that we need to be doing,” Folmer said.
He said he’s ready for the debate on the issue to end. The first legislative hearing on medical marijuana was in early 2014.
“The time is now,” said Folmer. “The questions were asked. The answers were given.”
Many House members haven’t been pleased with the answers given. Some say they’re still concerned about regulating the sale and use of marijuana. The medical community remains divided on marijuana’s efficacy as a treatment for a variety of illnesses.
A medical marijuana legalization measure passed in the Senate in May. It is before the House Rules Committee, chaired by GOP Majority Leader Dave Reed, who has said he supports, in theory, allowing marijuana to be prescribed for medical use.
Reed is waiting for a House working group to make recommendations on the legislation.
