Midstaters wanting Pennsylvania to become the 14th state to legalize medical marijuana rallied on the steps of the state Capitol on Saturday.

About 20 people marched from the Capitol to the corner of Market and 2nd streets, holding signs and handing out literature highlighting marijuana's benefits to those suffering from cancer treatments, glaucoma and depression.

Chuck Homan, the York-area man who organized the event, said a bill is pending before the state Legislature -- the most restrictive proposed to date -- that would allow Pennsylvanians to purchase small amounts of marijuana for treatment purposes.

"When you're suffering with long-term, chronic pain, you just can't be on pills a long time," Homan said. "The side effects are horrific -- it's unreal."As the group progressed toward Market Street, honks of support, and the occasional "Go home, hippies," followed them down the city blocks.

A stop on the street outside the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts -- where a home-school graduation was just letting out -- led to a security guard politely asking them to move along.

There will be a candlelight vigil in memory of the Philadelphia man, Barry Bush, who first pushed for medical legalization, at 8:30 p.m.