That's what I'm talking about:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
Pennsylvania state Sen. Daylin Leach (D) and a coalition of families will stage a sit-in at Gov. Tom Corbett's (R) office if the governor does not agree to meet with them to discuss a medical marijuana legalization bill that could help children with debilitating seizures.
At a press conference Monday, Leach said Corbett has ignored letters from him and the families with sick children that request a meeting to discuss the governor's threatened veto of The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act. The legislation is sponsored by Leach and state Sen. Mike Folmer (R).
The bipartisan bill would legalize the use of medical marijuana by patients as recommended by their physicians. It is pending in the state Senate. - Huffington Post, 4/28/14
Here's a little more info:
http://www.pennlive.com/...
At a Monday morning news conference, Leach, joined by several families who support the legislation, announced that at a date and time of their choosing, he along with sick children and their parents will gather for a sit-in in the Governor's Reception Room with plans on sleeping there, eating there and caring for their sick children there.
“If the governor chooses to forcibly remove sick children and the parents of those children, that is up to him. But we will not voluntarily leave until a meeting is scheduled,” Leach said.
Corbett has said he would oppose any legislation to legalize medical marijuana but would reconsider that stance if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approve of its use for medicinal purposes.
Corbett’s press secretary Jay Pagni said the governor has met with Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon County, the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 1182, and a family about this issue already, but said there is no record of Leach requesting a meeting to discuss it.
"Senator Leach, should he be requesting a meeting, is fully aware of the channels by which to request it," Pagni said. "Rather than holding a press conference, he should contact the governor's legislative secretary or the scheduling office."
Leach's office followed up this afternoon with copies of letters from families sent to Corbett requesting a meeting. His staff provided a link to his website where copies of those letters are posted. - PennLive, 4/28/14
Leach isn't alone here:
http://www.timesherald.com/...
At the news conference, grandfather Tom Nadzam, 68, of Levittown, addressed Corbett in his comments and asked him to support the bill sponsored by Folmer and Leach and to fight for it.
“From one grandparent to another, don’t let me lose my Lorelei,” said Nadzam, his voice breaking, of his 6-year-old granddaughter.
The bill, which remains in the Senate Law and Justice Committee, would permit doctors to prescribe the marijuana oil extract.
Medical marijuana is now legal in 20 states and the District of Columbia, and Florida’s Supreme Court has approved placing a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot to make it the first state in the South to legalize the medical use of marijuana.
Family members cited a two-month-old Quinnipiac University poll that found 85 percent of Pennsylvania voters believed doctors should be able to prescribe medical marijuana to adults.
“We are the 85 percent and we are not going away,” said Christine Brann, 41, of Hummelstown, the mother of 3-year-old Garrett.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society opposes the bill, saying more study is needed. The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association supports the measure. - The Times Herald, 4/28/14
Leach has been hitting Corbett hard on this issue:
http://www.politicspa.com/...
“We want Governor Corbett to provide a confirmed date and time by May 2nd of when he will meet with me, Sen. Folmer, and at least six parents of children who can benefit from this medicine,” Leach said at a recent press conference this morning. “We demand, and do not think it is at all unreasonable to hold a group meeting before the end of May. If not, at a time of our choosing, families from across the state will gather in the Governor’s Reception Room until he agrees to meet. These families are desperate and tired of waiting.”
S.B. 1182, known as the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act, is the first medical marijuana bill introduced in the state Senate that has garnered bipartisan support.
Leach’s outspoken commitment to the issue is due to Governor Corbett’s alleged declaration that if any medical marijuana bill was to reach his desk, he would veto it outright.
“Governor Corbett has done nothing on this issue while Pennsylvania families suffer,” Leach added. “Since the Senate Law and Justice Committee’s hearing on January 28th, the families of 12 children have calculated that their children have suffered more than 108,000 seizures, spent 63 days in the hospital, used last resort, rescue medications 195 times, missed 184 days of school, and were rushed to the emergency room 20 times.
“The administration’s inaction is callous and inexcusable. We will come to him if he continues to ignore their immeasurable suffering.” - PoliticsPA, 4/28/14
What I love about Leach is he's a savvy politician with soul of an activist. Lets help make sure he wins his crowded primary. Click here to donate and get involved with his campaign:
http://votedaylin.com/