Researchers 'surprised' after watching adolescent weed lovers dodge depression, psychosis and even asthma.

Heavy weed smoking during adolescence does NOT increase boys' risk of developing mental or physical health problems later in life, astonishing new research has claimed.

Chronic marijuana use by teenage boys does not appear to be linked to later physical or mental health issues such as depression, psychotic symptoms or asthma, according to a study published by the American Psychological Association.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Rutgers University tracked 408 males from adolescence into their mid-30s for the study, which was published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.

Military veterans are committing suicide. Prescription painkiller overdose deaths are skyrocketing. There is a national discussion around these issues. Medical marijuana can help. In these cases it could save lives. 

A special working group of Pennsylvania House Representatives is trying craft a medical marijuana bill for the lower chamber. A bill already passed the state Senate earlier this year. Two of their biggest issues are whether to include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain as qualifying conditions.

Senate Bill 3 includes PTSD but Rep. Ron Marsico's House bill did not.

Cannabis is going global fast – Italy’s Parliament just voted for a legalized, regulated cannabis market, Denmark’s youth is consuming cannabis in droves but it’s no gateway, and the United Kingdom just reached a record high number of supporters for legalization in the isles. On this side of the pond, United States lawmakers are thinking ahead and making plans that could change the game completely. We’ve got the latest in cannabis legalization efforts:

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While a bipartisan House task force works on a compromise medical marijuana bill, House Speaker Mike Turzai told the Pennsylvania Press Club on Monday that concerns still have to be addressed.

Pending legislation would allow for a certain number of licensed medical cannabis growers and distributors, but Turzai, R-Allegheny, voiced some lingering questions.

Rep. Mike Turzai speaks with at the Pennsylvania Press Club on Monday.Photo by Sam Janesch 

Milton Borough has become the third Valley municipality to support medical marijuana in Pennsylvania.

Borough Council voted 8-2 last week to urge state House members to vote in favor of state Senate Bill 3, which would legalize medical marijuana in the state. Council Vice President Linda Meckley and Councilman Charles Swartz voted no.

Neither Meckley nor Swartz could be reached for comment.

Selinsgrove Borough Council voted 4-3 earlier this month to endorse the bill adopted May 22 by the state Senate and sent on to the state House. The Danville Borough Council later voted 5-3 to not consider it. On Tuesday night, Lewisburg Borough Council voted 6-1 in support of the proposal.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — After sitting untouched in an unsupportive House committee, state lawmakers are hoping a bill which would legalize medical marijuana in Pennsylvania can gain new life thanks to a bipartisan group of representatives.

A new study published The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse has found that teens are using marijuana less frequently and are less attracted to it now that it is decriminalized or legalized at the state level. 

The data challenges many assumptions about how changing cannabis laws may impact children. 

Opponents of legalization often tout scientifically unsupported notions about teen marijuana use. 

Medical cannabis patients and activists express hope that legislation may yet move through the PA House despite numerous roadblocks.

Recently the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 3 40 – 7 which would have created a medical cannabis licensing and dispensing program, a regulatory Board, and which would have permitted qualifying patients access to medicinal cannabis products such as oils and extracts. While not a perfect bill from a patient perspective it at the very least provided a framework modeled after successful programs in other states.