FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 9/9/2013
PhillyNORML – Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
CONTACT: Chris Goldstein or Mike Whiter 267 702 3731 or media@phillynorml.org
Breaking: Pennsylvania State Nurses Assn. releases new cannabis position
Philadelphia – After years of close study, the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) has released a new position on medical cannabis.
“It is the position of PSNA that medical marijuana is worthy of further rigorous clinical testing. In order to weigh the true risks and benefits of medical marijuana, there must be a discussion and openness at the federal level regarding the conversion of marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule II drug classification. Schedule II classification would allow testing of consistent grade medical marijuana in a randomized controlled fashion in order to ascertain the drug’s risk/benefit profile for a multitude of illnesses and symptoms. In addition, PSNA supports protection from prosecution for patients who currently use medicinal marijuana or for providers suggesting medicinal marijuana for relief of intractable conditions or symptoms. Lastly, PSNA shares concerns about the delivery system of smoking medication and, if this drug is approved, encourages the development of a more efficient drug delivery system.” Source – www.psna.org
A bill is active in the Pennsylvania General Assembly to create a system for medical marijuana access. Sponsored by Rep. Mark Cohen of Philadelphia, hearings were held in 2009 and 2010 before the House Health and Human Services Committee. Potential patients, doctors, nurses along with community and religious leaders expressed their support.
Dr. Harry Swidler, an Emergency Medicine physician said at the 2009 hearings: “Marijuana is non-addicting. There is no physical dependence or physical withdrawal associated with its use. It is, from a practical standpoint, non-toxic. Marijuana is safer by some measures than any other drug. There is simply no known quantity of marijuana capable of killing a person.” http://youtu.be/yfnGy6BQYKI
In 2011 the bill was re-named The Governor Raymond P. Shafer Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. This is to honor the former Republican PA governor who guided a commission for President Nixon on the topic of marijuana. In 1972 Shafer personally delivered a report to the White House saying that cannabis should not be classified with other narcotics or included in the Controlled Substances Act at all.
Three separate polls from Franklin&Marshall show that an astounding 82% of PA voters support medical marijuana access.
“Nurses are the front-line of medicine in every community and they see how many seriously ill residents already utilize marijuana,” said PhillyNORML Co-Chair Chris Goldstein. “The position of PSNA is based in science and compassion. We urge our politicians to approach the issue with the same care and attention.”
FOR MORE IMFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Chris Goldstein or Mike Whiter 267 702 3731 or media@phillynorml.org
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