PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
  1. Signatures
    64 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. The Governor of PA
  2. Created By
    PA Freedom Coalition
    Sunbury, PA
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

Rep. Swanger recently introduced House Bill 365 and Sen. Boscola introduced SB 164, in addition to Sen. Vogel's similar legislation SB 1006. This legislation would criminalize the possession of the herb Salvia divinorum, and its chemical constituents, Salvinorin A and Salvinorin B. Salvia divinorum has been used by some groups of Quakers to help with religious meditation. The Mazatecs have used Salvia as a religious sacrament since ancient times. Other religious groups also utilize Salvia as a religious sacrament. Research shows it is extremelly non-toxic and non-addictive.

In addition to its use as a religious sacrament, the Salvinorins A & B are used in medical research. New drugs have been synthesized from these natural chemicals, one such drug is named herkinorin. Preliminary evidence suggests herkinorin may act as a pain killer that does not cause the development of tolerance or addiction to it. This bill would cause cutting edge pharmaceutical research and manufacturing to be done outside of the Commonwealth.

Our right to pursue happiness and to practice religion in a peaceful way is guarentteed by the Constitution of Pennsylvania, and the US Constitution. Please sign this petition asking the Pennsylvania General Assembly to NOT pass HB 365 and SB 164.

Recent Signatures

Petition To Stop SB 1006

Greetings,

Whereas, the herb Salvia divinorum is peacefully used as a religious sacrament by groups of Quakers, Mazatecs, and other religious groups.

Whereas, research has shown Salvia divinorum and Salvinorin A to be extremely non-toxic and non-addictive.

Whereas, the chemical components of Salvia divinorum such as Salvinorin A, have use in medical research into new pain killers which do not cause the development of tolerance.

Whereas, Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania states, "All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness."

Whereas, Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania states, "All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship or to maintain any ministry against his consent; no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience, and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship."

Whereas, the First Amendment of the US Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Therefore, we the signers of this petition ask that the Governor of Pennsylvania veto Senate Bill 1006 on the grounds that it is unconstitutional to criminalize a religious sacrament and thereby infringe on the right of the people to practice their religion peacefully; additionally we urge you to not to pass this bill because it will send cutting edge medical research and pharmaceutical manufacturing out of the Commonwealth.

[Your name]

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