Delco Rep. tries new push for medical marijuana

HARRISBURG - The state's nearly stagnant medical marijuana bill may be getting a new champion - this time, a House Republican.

Rep. Nick Miccarelli of Delaware County wants to force a vote on the legislation, which would legalize the use of marijuana for certain medical conditions.

The Senate has passed the measure with overwhelming bipartisan support. And Gov. Wolf has pledged to sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

But the bill has been stalled for weeks in the House Health Committee. Its chairman, Matt Baker (R., Tioga), has said he will not allow a vote on the measure because, among other reasons, medical marijuana has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Miccarelli has drafted a so-called discharge resolution to toss the measure out of committee and allow it to come a full floor vote. He said he was confident he can garner enough support for the resolution as early as next week.

Miccarelli, an Army National Guard staff sergeant, said he was inspired to push for the resolution after seeing fellow soldiers return home from combat with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"A lot of the medications they were given were heavy-duty narcotics, which can be extremely addictive, and you can build a tolerance to them quickly," he said. "I'd like to give physicians another option, if it would be better for the long-term health, not only for veterans, but for every citizen in Pennsylvania."

Historically, discharge resolutions have been unsuccessful. They require a majority vote and are often a last-ditch attempt by a minority party to save a bill.

But as a member of the party in power, Miccarelli is positioned to receive support from Democrats, who have rallied behind the bill, as well as his own party.

The representative said he was optimistic about the bill's chances on the House floor. "I wouldn't be wasting my time if I didn't think we couldn't get it through," he said.

Baker could not be reached for comment Tuesday

Still, House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R., Indiana) said there were more pressing issues for the legislature in the coming week - namely, a budget deal.

Reed said he would push for a resolution on the bill later this summer. "I want to see it not just come to a vote, I want to get it signed into law," he said.

@madisoneruss