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“Finally an end…for our children”: Celebrations as medical marijuana bill nears passage

HARRISBURG, Pa. —  Tom Wolf probably hadn’t hugged this many people since his campaign for governor. The Democrat, and ardent supporter of legalizin...

HARRISBURG, Pa. --  Tom Wolf probably hadn't hugged this many people since his campaign for governor.

The Democrat, and ardent supporter of legalizing medical cannabis in Pennsylvania, met with dozens of families Tuesday who say they're in desperate need of the drug. Wolf spoke directly to them in his reception room at the state Capitol.

"This didn't happen by accident," he said. "This is historic and happening today because of what you've done."

Senate Bill 3, which would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana in oil and pill form for people diagnosed with over a dozen medical conditions, is expected to be passed with overwhelming, bipartisan support in the state House on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Gov. Wolf, alongside SB3 supporters Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery) and Rep. Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny), along with bill co-sponsor Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery), thanked the families who made the trip to the Capitol, many from out of town, to show support for the bill.

"You did something which almost never happens in Pennsylvania: You changed minds," Sen. Leach said.

In the Capitol's main rotunda, additional families congregated in a corner which has been home to Senate Bill 3 advocates for months.

"There is finally an end in sight and there is going to be this medicine for our children," said Diane Briggs of Export, Pa. in Westmoreland County.

Briggs says her 15-year-old son suffers from epilepsy, and has gone through daily seizures since he was born.

"We know it may 2 to 3 years to implement, but to know it might start this week is amazing," she said.

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