Medical Marijuana Advocates Plan Sit-In at Governor's Office

A state senator who is running for Congress says he and families in favor of medical marijuana want to talk to Governor Tom Corbett.

And if he doesn’t want to talk to them, they’ll just wait in his reception room until he comes around.

Daylin Leach, a Democrat representing Montgomery and Delaware county in the state senate, joined with Pennsylvania residents in support of medical marijuana during a press event Monday to announce a “sit-in” at the governor’s reception room. The group says they will wait there until he agrees to meet with them.

“We want Governor Corbett to provide a confirmed date and time by May 2nd of when he will meet with me, Sen. (Mike) Folmer, and at least six parents of children who can benefit from this medicine,” Leach said during a press conference.

“We demand, and do not think it is at all unreasonable to hold a group meeting before the end of May,” Leach said. “If not, at a time of our choosing, families from across the state will gather in the Governor’s Reception Room until he agrees to meet. These families are desperate and tired of waiting.”

The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act, sponsored by Leach and Folmer, would legalize the use of medical marijuana by patients as recommended by attending physicians. The bill has 13 co-sponsors.

During the press event, Leach noted that Governor Corbett has met with one family privately, but their open letter to the Governor posted on Pennlive.com indicates they are not satisfied with his approach.

“The administration’s inaction is callous and inexcusable. We will come to him if he continues to ignore their immeasurable suffering,” Leach said.

Leach is running for Congress to represent Pennsylvania’s 13th District.