2Dec/090
Hearing explores whether marijuana should be legal medicine in Pennsylvania
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.