[420 Girl]

HARRISBURG - A House committee waded through a thicket of health, ethical and legal issues Wednesday during a first-time hearing on a bill to legalize the medical use of marijuana.

The hearing before the Health and Human Services Committee featured testimony from individuals with a wide range of views about an issue that has gained headway in a number of western states, but until now has not garnered much attention in Pennsylvania.

The measure by Rep. Mark Cohen, D-202, Philadelphia, would provide for state licensing and inspection of "compassion" centers where marijuana can be used with a doctor's recommendation by patients suffering from HIV, AIDS, cancer and other illnesses.

It would provide patients with immunity from arrest if they have a registry identification card and have no more than six marijuana plants and one ounce of marijuana in their possession. The state would levy a sales tax on the sale of marijuana for medical use if the bill becomes law.

Mr. Cohen and supporters of the legislation argued it would ease the pain and suffering of sick people and provide a medical alternative to prescription drugs that have adverse side effects.

But opponents, including state Attorney General Tom Corbett, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, said the legislation would weaken existing drug laws and make a dangerous substance more available.

The director of a Hazleton treatment center for substance abuse gave testimony in favor of the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Edward Pane, CEO of Serento Gardens Alcoholism and Drug Services Inc., told the panel that patients are unlikely to develop a physical dependence by using limited amounts of marijuana. He said that research has discounted fears that marijuana use is a gateway to harder drugs.

"Concerns that the medical use of marijuana will spur individuals into the world of chemical addiction are baseless," added Mr. Pane, a part-time instructor on addictions studies at the University of Scranton.

Rep. Matt Baker, R-68, Wellsboro, ranking Republican on the panel, said federal health officials have found little evidence that marijuana offers a medical benefit. Regardless of what state laws are enacted, federal laws make possession of marijuana a crime, added Mr. Baker, citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that state medical marijuana laws don't protect users from federal law enforcement agencies.

"I can't support the legalizing of medical marijuana," he added.

A dozen states have laws permitting marijuana use for medical purposes.

The legislation would require medical users to pay an annual $50 fee for a registry card and prohibit them from smoking marijuana on school grounds, public parks, public transportation and areas where cigarette smoking is banned.

Mr. Cohen estimated the annual state revenue yield from sales taxes and fees at $25 million.

The committee plans more hearings on the bill, but it faces a long road to passage.

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