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House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, became emotional in a closed-door House Republican caucus discussion on Wednesday over his opposition to legalizing medical marijuana.

(File photo/PennLive)

A proposal to legalize medical marijuana in Pennsylvania is now positioned to receive a full vetting in the state House of Representatives but it was not before some tears were shed.

The House Rules Committee on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to move the Senate-passed bill to the full House for consideration.

This came following what some Republican members described as an emotionally charged closed-door caucus discussion that had House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, breaking down in tears over his opposition to legalizing medical cannabis, according to three GOP sources who witnessed the outburst.

They confirmed it was what one of them called a "John Boehner-like breakdown," referring to the former U.S. House speaker who was easily moved to tears.

Attempts to reach Turzai for comment late Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful.

The lawmakers interviewed asked not to be identified in order to discuss what are traditionally private meetings.

One of them described the caucus discussion that pit Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana, who supports its legalization, against the speaker as "surreal."

Reed rationalized its legalization by sharing poll results that show strong support for it and comments he heard favoring its legalization at townhall meetings in his even-keel manner. Turzai, however, became so emotionally overwrought at times it was difficult to understand what he was saying, members said.

Following his passionate remarks, he walked out of the room before hearing other members' views on the issue, which was a source of irritation for some members, sources said.