Marijuana: miracle or menace

There are a variety of social issues peppered throughout American politics, spanning from topics such as gay rights to abortion laws. However, a handful of Pennsylvania state politicians opened up the floor to one specific topic: marijuana.

On a particularly cold Friday morning at Central York High School, students spanning all grades packed into a classroom in order to discuss current political topics with Rep. Stan Saylor, Rep. Keith Gillespie and Sen. Michael Folmer of the PA state government. Soon, the topic of legalizing medical marijuana took over the meeting.

“When you hear the word marijuana, people get scared,” said Folmer, just as the discussion was warming up. The Republican admitted that he had started with negative impressions towards the drug. Legalizing marijuana may be considered to be very liberal in politics and Folmer stated that Republicans typically don’t support it.

Folmer was not prepared to be signing a bill that would legalize medical marijuana, especially in a time period critically close to re-elections. “[But] I was wrong. There is real medical value,” said Folmer.

It was quite a process for Folmer to come to this conclusion, he admitted. He recalled the hours of research put into this issue. As the Sentator adjusted his posture on the school’s table, his legs dangling, he discussed people who benefitted from medical cannabis, including an Israeli doctor, two mothers with children who had severe epilepsy, a soldier who used the drug to cope with PTSD and countless others.

It seemed “crazy” to Folmer that dangerous painkillers, such as Vocodine, could be easily obtained from a doctor, but not marijuana. The senator listed many of the benefits of the drug throughout his time speaking. Looking over the sea of students, he spoke of how it is impossible to overdose or get physically addicted to marijuana. The THC in cannabis can kill cancer and the drug can restore damaged brain receptors, he explained. Not only can marijuana aid physical illness, such as cancer, but can also be massively helpful towards mental conditions, as Folmer had found in his studies.

However, Folmer continued to bring up an important point in his discussion. “I am not here to [promote] pot,” the Republican said. “I am here to help sick people.” Folmer told the students several times that marijuana is strictly for medical use, no recreational use whatsoever. “Recreational use hurts my cause,” said Folmer as he made eye contact with several students.

Representative Saylor brought up a point he admittedly feels anxious about when it comes to marijuana. Saylor claimed that marijuana use “kills brain cells.” Folmer rebutted this accusation, citing some of his extensive research. Folmer explained how a new study at the University of London actually contradicts any notion of brain cell damage.

Fears such as these regarding legalizing marijuana are another factor that holds the senator back. “[Society] decided to create this fear,” Folmer explained. Folmer hopes to “overcome the fear” through educating the public about his cause. Even after education on the topic, people may still oppose this bill, people with fears similar to Saylor’s. But Folmer stated his mission to the high school students from the front of the room, with a straight back and steady shoulders. “My job is to help people… To help them fight disease.”

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