Salvia divinorum and Salvinorin A and B will become criminalized if HB 365 passes. It was introduced recently by Rep. Swanger. While Salvia and the salvinorins were removed from HB 176, like the original version of HB 176 from the last session, however, HB 365 continues to threaten our freedom to grow, possess, sell, buy, use, and research this amazing plant. Like marijuana, research shows Salvia is very non-toxic and non-addictive. Please check out this petition to the PA General Assembly urging them to not pass HB 365:
http://www.change.org/petitions/urge-the-pa-general-assembly-to-just-say-no-to-hb-365-the-religious-sacrament-prohibition-actUrge the PA General Assembly to Just Say No To HB 365 - The Religious Sacrament Prohibition Act
Targeting: The PA State Senate, The PA State House, State Rep. Rosemarie Swanger (PA-102), see more...The PA State Senate, The PA State House, State Rep. Rosemarie Swanger (PA-102), State Rep. Scott Boyd (PA-043), State Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (PA-127), State Rep. Dom Costa (PA-021), State Rep. Glen Grell (PA-087), State Rep. Adam Harris (PA-082), State Rep. John Hornaman (PA-003), State Rep. Rob Kauffman (PA-089), State Rep. Mark Longietti (PA-007), State Rep. Jennifer Mann (PA-132), State Rep. Jim Marshall (PA-014), State Rep. Carl Metzgar (PA-069), State Rep. Dan Moul (PA-091), State Rep. Kevin Murphy (PA-113), State Rep. Scott Petri (PA-178), State Rep. Jeffrey Pyle (PA-060), State Rep. Ken Smith (PA-112), State Rep. Randy Vulakovich (PA-030), State Rep. Rosita Youngblood (PA-198), and State Rep. Thomas Murt (PA-152)
Started by: PA Freedom Coalition
Rep. Swanger recently introduced House Bill 365. This legislation would criminalize the possession of the herb Salvia divinorum, and its chemical constituents, Salvinorin A and Salvinorin B. Salvia divinorum has been used by some groups of Quakers to help with religious meditation. The Mazatecs have used Salvia as a religious sacrament since ancient times. Other religious groups also utilize Salvia as a religious sacrament. Research shows it is extremelly non-toxic and non-addictive. In...
Rep. Swanger recently introduced House Bill 365. This legislation would criminalize the possession of the herb Salvia divinorum, and its chemical constituents, Salvinorin A and Salvinorin B. Salvia divinorum has been used by some groups of Quakers to help with religious meditation. The Mazatecs have used Salvia as a religious sacrament since ancient times. Other religious groups also utilize Salvia as a religious sacrament. Research shows it is extremelly non-toxic and non-addictive.
In addition to its use as a religious sacrament, the Salvinorins A & B are used in medical research. New drugs have been synthesized from these natural chemicals, one such drug is named herkinorin. Preliminary evidence suggests herkinorin may act as a pain killer that does not cause the development of tolerance or addiction to it. This bill would cause cutting edge pharmaceutical research and manufacturing to be done outside of the Commonwealth.
Our right to pursue happiness and to practice religion in a peaceful way is guarentteed by the Constitution of Pennsylvania, and the US Constitution. Please sign this petition asking the Pennsylvania General Assembly to NOT pass HB 365.
PETITION:
Petition To Stop HB 365
Greetings,
Whereas, the herb Salvia divinorum is peacefully used as a religious sacrament by groups of Quakers, Mazatecs, and other religious groups.
Whereas, research has shown Salvia divinorum and Salvinorin A and B to be extremely non-toxic and non-addictive.
Whereas, the chemical components of Salvia divinorum, Salvinorin A and B, have use in medical research into new pain killers which do not cause the development of tolerance.
Whereas, Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania states, "All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness."
Whereas, Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania states, "All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship or to maintain any ministry against his consent; no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience, and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship."
Whereas, the First Amendment of the US Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Therefore, we the signers of this petition ask that the members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly refuse to pass House Bill 365 on the grounds that it is unconstitutional to criminalize a religious sacrament and thereby infringe on the right of the people to practice their religion peacefully; additionally we urge you to not to pass this bill because it will send cutting edge medical research and pharmaceutical manufacturing out of the Commonwealth.
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