Mark Walters

mwalters@ydr.com

The bill contains sickle cell anemia and autism under treatable conditions.

There is no limit to the THC levels of medical marijuana.

The bill would allow 50 dispensaries in the state that could have up to three locations each.

A bill to legalize medical marijuana cleared its biggest hurdle yet, passing the House by a 149-43 vote Wednesday.

Senate Bill 3 now goes back to the Senate for concurrence. It cleared that chamber in May. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon County, plans to look at every amendment the bill received in the House before sending it to the governor's desk.

"We want to make sure we're not giving kids a toy that doesn't have batteries," Folmer said before the historic vote.

Pa. House nears medical marijuana vote

Parents, patients rejoice from Capitol on the heels of historic vote

Pennsylvania's medical marijuana debate has brought together families of sick children, veterans and other ailing patients from all over the state. Emotion inside the Capitol was palpable for hours Wednesday, with anxious citizen lobbyists awaiting the vote that took place around 6:20 p.m. The crowd of more than 50 stood and erupted in the House gallery after the bill passed.

Moms, dads and grandparents hugged each other and wiped tears from their faces as they offered a "Congratulations!" or "We did it!" A group of moms took a selfie with Folmer in the Capitol rotunda.



Wednesday's progress was "surreal" for Cara Salemme, 36, of North Codorus Township, whose 9-year-old son, Jackson, suffers epileptic seizures. Salemme said S.B. 3's passage lets her know that someday, she'll have legitimate medicine to give her son.

Clearing the Senate was easy compared to the House, said Angie Sharrer, 37, of Tyrone Township, Adams County. Sharrer and her husband, Matt, have been lobbying lawmakers for more than two years to pass a bill they think will help their 11-year-old daughter, Annie, who also suffers epileptic seizures.

Treating epilepsy beyond medicine in Adams County

Seeing moms hugging after the vote impacted Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon County. He was always in favor of S.B. 3, but grew more passionate about it when he met families struggling with illnesses.

"You don't always get to know the people personally who you're going to help," Diamond said from the top of the Capitol steps. "That really makes a huge difference."

The earliest the Senate could vote on the bill is March 21, said Steve Hoenstine, spokesman for Sen. Daylin Leach, a prime cosponsor of S.B. 3.

Gov. Tom Wolf has already pledged his support for the bill.

How York, Adams, Lebanon and Franklin county legislators voted:

Adams County

Dan Moul, R: Yes

Will Tallman, R: Yes

Franklin County

Jesse Topper, R: No

Adam Harris, R: Yes

Paul Schemel, R: Yes

Rob W. Kauffman, R: Yes

Lebanon County

Russ Diamond, R: Yes

Mauree Gingrich, R: Yes

Susan Helm, R: Yes

York County

Kevin Schreiber, D: Yes

Kate Klunk, R: Yes

Seth Grove, R: No

Keith Gillespie, R: Yes

Kristin Hill, R: Yes

Stan Saylor, R: Excused

Contact Mark Walters at 717-771-2032 or follow him on Twitter at @walt_walters.