RALLY SUPPORTS USE OF POT TO HELP EASE MEDICAL PAIN

State Rep. Phyllis Mundy Has a Bill Which Allows the Use of Marijuana
in Treatment.

WILKES-BARRE - Thomas Chewey is eager to discuss challenges of his
four-year battle with cancer, bi-polar disorder and hypertension.

Chewey, 48, of Larksville, was on Public Square on Friday in support
of the rally to reform marijuana laws so the drug can be used in
medical treatment.

Chewey said he has undergone radiation and chemo-therapy and has
taken strong medications such as Vicodin and OxyContin to take away
the constant pain. Using marijuana, he said, gives him more relief,
and it's non-toxic.

"They radiated me and chemo-ed me, but they won't prescribe
cannabis," Chewey said. "They've cut me, removed muscles in my neck
and shoulder, and I have pain all the time."

Chewey said it's time to legalize cannabis for medical purposes.

"It relaxes me," he said.

Kenneth Brown, 21, of Wilkes-Barre, coordinated Friday's rally - the
Cannabis Defense Movement - that ran from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. James
Jasinski, 22, of Wilkes-Barre, and Matt Yuscavage, 22, of Luzerne,
helped Brown organize the event.

"We're here in support of patients' rights in Pennsylvania," Brown
said. "We support the prescribing of cannabis rather than addictive
and toxic pain killers."

Carl Romanelli Jr. said he was there because the Green Party supports
the de-criminalization of cannabis.

"It should be available for people who need it to ease their pain,"
Romanelli said.

State Rep. Phyllis Mundy has co-sponsored House Bill 1393, which
seeks to ease human suffering by allowing the use of marijuana in treatment.

"While not a high legislative priority for me, I support HB-1393,
which would allow those who are gravely or terminally ill to use
marijuana to relieve their pain," Mundy said. "It does not, as some
may suggest, seek to promote the recreational use of marijuana or in
any way legalize it for such use."

Mundy, D-Kingston, said she realizes the topic is controversial.

"However, I believe it is time to engage in a discussion as to why we
allow much more addictive drugs such as OxyContin and morphine to be
prescribed for pain relief, but not marijuana, which is much less
harmful and less expensive," Mundy said.

Mundy said she can't say if supporters of using marijuana in medical
treatment are also hopeful that it may one day be legalized.

"They may, but I cannot speak for them," Mundy said. "But that is
not a realistic expectation. I have received many more positive
comments regarding the legalization of marijuana for medical use than
I expected though. And from people I would never have expected to
support my position."

Brown and several other volunteers were handing out informational
flyers to anyone interested on why marijuana should be approved as an
accepted medical use in treatment.