Pocono News Section

Medical Marijuana Protest in the Poconos

Medical Marijuana Protest in the Poconos - Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 04:01AM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Sunday April 04 2010
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY - In Pennsylvania it's currently illegal to smoke marijuana. But some people want to change that. About three dozen protesters picketed in support of medical marijuana in Stroudsburg Saturday afternoon.
Event organizer Charles Homan said, "Marijuana is literally the safest drug on the planet if you educate yourself."

Protesters stood on four corners of Main Street. Dave Marrash joined them. He cried, "I need -- I need marijuana to be legal man - it's what helps me."

He told Eyewitness news he was injured in a car crash 35 years ago. He said he's always in pain and he can't stand the side effects of traditional medicine so he turned to marijuana. He said, "It takes my mind off my pain. It just comforts me. You laugh sleep and you're hungry. My goodness is that bad?"

He knows it's illegal and he risks being arrested every time he buys it. But he doesn't care. Marrash said,"If they want to make me a burden on society they can do that."

Charles Homan said he smokes because of Bipolar Disorder and sleep issues. He said, "It allows me to rest. It doesn't cure my disease or anything but it allows me to function."

Their signs encouraged drivers to honk if they agreed with the protest. And many people made a lot of noise. But not everyone supported the cause. Some people said the rally didn't belong on Main Street. Bob Gerhold remarked, "I got kids at home and I wouldn't want them being down here."

He wasn't convinced all of the protesters need to use marijuana, especially the younger ones. He said,"They want to get high. That's all they want to do."

It looks like the debate over whether marijuana is medicine will continue to brn on the streets and in Harrisburg. People who don't want medical marijuana legalized say it's dangerous and addictive. They argue it's a gateway for other drug use and they say chemicals from the smoke can be just as dangerous as cigarettes.