Pennsylvania State Nurses Association CEO Betsy M. Snook (August 2013)

On Thursday, the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, which represents over 212,000 nurses in the state, announced its support of proposed legislation legalizing medical marijuana in Pennsylvania.  While the American Nurses Association has publicly supported the legalization of medical marijuana for over a decade, Thursday’s announcement marked the first time a major professional medical association in Pennsylvania has publicly supported the legalization of medical marijuana.

Earlier this month, Pennsylvania state senator Mike Folmer introduced the the “Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act” which protects patients from prosecution when seeking the use of medicinal marijuana and protects health care providers who suggest medicinal marijuana to relieve intractable medical conditions or symptoms.

“PSNA would like to thank Senator Folmer for bringing nurses to the table to discuss this important patient-driven initiative,” said Pennsylvania Nurses Association CEO Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN.

However, the proposed legislation is unlikely to become law anytime soon as Pennsylvania Senate leaders have announced they have no plans to move it out of committee for a vote and even if passed, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett is likely to veto it.  Corbett has stated that he would reconsider his position only if the FDA determines that medical marijuana is both safe and effective.