Newsradio 1020 KDKA Editorial: Medical Marijuana

Sometimes the "what" is more important than the "why."

Around the country - there's growing pressure to legalize marijuana -

And even greater pressure to legalize medical marijuana.

Some Pennsylvania lawmakers have tried without success.

Bills died in the legislature.

Even if they hadn't -

They faced a gubernatorial veto.

Governor Tom Corbett long said he opposed legalizing medical marijuana.

Even when parents -

Whose children need a marijuana extract to treat severe seizures -

Pleaded with him -

Corbett said there needed to be more federal research.

And then - on Thursday - he changed his mind.

The governor now backs legalizing a marijuana extract -

That can help these children.

He's proposing a research-based pilot program -

That would provide the treatment through children's hospitals in the state.

Bottom line -

It doesn't matter why Tom Corbett made the decision now -

Whether it was politics or principle.

It's a good decision that can help children who are seriously ill -

And in this case -

The "what" is definitely more important than the "why."