Bill to regulate marijuana like alcohol gains NAACP support
On April 3, 2013, Sen. Daylin Leach (D-17) introduced SB 528, a bill to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol in Pennsylvania. Sen. Leach explained, “It is time for Pennsylvania to be a leader in jettisoning this modern-day prohibition, and ending a policy that has been destructive, costly and anti-scientific.” The proposal was referred to the Senate Law and Justice Committee. The bill received a big boost of support in June when it was endorsed by Pennsylvania's NAACP chapter.
Please ask your elected officials to support SB 528.
In addition to leading the charge on taxing and regulating marijuana, Sen. Leach has also been busy trying to provide protections for Pennsylvania’s seriously ill who use medical marijuana pursuant to their doctors’ recommendations. Sen. Leach’s SB 770 would create the Governor Raymond Shafer Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, which would allow qualifying patients and their caregivers to cultivate and possess marijuana. Patients could also purchase it from regulated compassion centers. SB 770 was referred to the Public Health and Welfare Committee on April 7.
Please ask your state senator and representative to support SB 770, urging them to make sure patients receive protections sooner rather than later.
Are you a patient, clergy member, or member of law enforcement?
If you are a medical professional or a patient who might benefit from medical marijuana, or if you know somebody who might benefit from medical marijuana, we would like to hear from you. Additionally, if you are a law enforcement official, a person who was arrested for marijuana possession, an attorney, or a clergy member, please email state@mpp.org to learn how you can be of special help.
ACLU study shows Keystone State marijuana laws result in racially disproportionate arrest rates
Under current law, an individual arrested for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana in Pennsylvania can be sentenced to a maximum of 30 days in jail and fined up to $500. A 2013 study by the American Civil Liberties Union found that although blacks and whites use marijuana at nearly identical rates, blacks in Pennsylvania are 5.2 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana possession.
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