Editor, Times-Union: During the week of Sept. 13, 2015, WHPCB521 in Harrisburg ran an update on their coverage of the efforts by concerned citizens and families, who are urging our state’s elected officials to legalize marijuana for medicinal use here. The measure passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, but has remained stalled by members of the state Senate. Concerned Pennsylvania citizens have sought legalization of “medical marijuana “ for use in treating children, and others, who suffer from seizures; due to the fact that traditional medications have proven ineffective. One family spoke several months ago about how their child who suffers several seizures on a daily basis, has found no relief via traditional medications. They took the girl to Colorado, where the substance is legal, with the results of treatment being positive. According to the mom, this child was able, for the first time in years, to walk across the room, and hug and speak to her mom without the crippling seizures she has been afflicted with. Laws are meant for the protection of the people; yet there are times when certain laws become outdated, obsolete, or just plain ignorant; like some elected officials. When said officials stand in the way of progress, even in medical matters, which are shown to actually help hurting people; said officials must be held accountable, and perhaps even charged with a crime for hindering a procedure which is showing some positive results in healing those who suffer serious illnesses. No elected or appointed government officials should be allowed to impede a procedure that has positive results. This is simply playing games with people’s lives. This is immoral, and it has got to stop! No state or federal government body, operating in this nation, owns anyone! Are these elected and appointed officials working for us? Or, are they working to enslave us? William Gerald Smith Lancaster, Pa.
