April 29th, 2009

Reports KYW Newsradio:

A Philadelphia State lawmaker on Wednesday was expected to introduce legislation to legalize marijuana for medical purposes.

Erik Arneson, spokesman for the Republican leader of the GOP-controlled state Senate, says the chances for medical marijuana legislation in Pennsylvania are grim and none:

“There is no legitimate prospect of this legislation being passed in the House, in my analysis, and if it happens to cross that hurdle, we have no plans at all to advance it in the Senate.”

But Mark Cohen of Philadelphia, one of a group of Democratic House members that will roll out the medical marijuana legislation, knows that he’s facing an uphill battle:

“That’s true. But the old Chinese proverb is that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The seven Democrats who’ll be introducing the legislation realize that it’s not an easy process, but it’s an important process.”

Cohen says he’s acting on behalf of Pennsylvanians with painful diseases who would benefit.