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| Medicinal Marijuana Bill Considered |
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Posted by FoM on February 16, 2002 at 11:37:33 PT By Tracy Schmaler, Vermont Press Bureau Source: Times Argus 
Lawmakers are considering a measure that would legalize the use and cultivation of marijuana in the state for medicinal purposes. The House Judiciary Committee began taking testimony Friday on a bill that would exempt seriously ill people and physicians from being prosecuted for using and growing specified amounts of marijuana. “Not just anyone can use this; you need it based on a recommendation of a doctor,” Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington, told the committee. “There are a number of debilitating medical conditions ... and for some this is the only way they have to alleviate their symptoms.” Zuckerman, the lead sponsor of the measure, said the bill outlines specific restrictions on the use of the drug including that patients obtain a prescription and it not be used in prisons, on school grounds or while operating heavy machinery and public vehicles. The bill also limits the quantity patients and physicians can possess or cultivate to an amount that would allow for treatment but not exceed three ounces or in cases of plants — three mature plants and four immature plants. Zuckerman told the committee of national data supporting the use of marijuana to alleviate symptoms such as nausea, severe pain and persistent muscle spasms that can be associated with a variety of ailments including cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease. “We’re not going to solve everybody’s problems with this bill,” he said, noting that eight other states have similar laws on the books including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine and Washington. While there was concern that the federal government would crack down on states passing such laws, he said that has not been the case so far in any of the states. Responding to questions about the bill, Zuckerman said insurance companies would not be required to cover the use of marijuana as a treatment. The proposal would allow individuals or private, nonprofit organizations to cultivate certain amounts of the plant so as not to encourage patients or doctors to obtain it by illegal means. The state already has a marijuana law on the books. It was passed in 1981, but the rules necessary to administer the law, which set up a cannabis therapeutic program, were never finalized by the state Department of Health. This new measure could spur a spirited debate between those who support it and those who oppose it. On one side is Gov. Howard Dean, a physician, who has said he opposes it, in part, because it is a health risk to inhale it. On the other side is a cross section of more than 40 House Republicans, Democrats and Progressives who have signed on to the bill as well as leaders in the Senate. “Personally I think it’s a thoughtful bill,” said Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, D-Windham. “For many people, it can be the difference between living a tolerable life and living an intolerable life.” House Speaker Walter Freed, R-Dorset, said he was reserving judgment on the bill until hearing more information. “I’m curious to hear the debate,” he said. The committee is expected to continue testimony next week. Source: Times Argus (VT) Related Articles & Web Sites: Medical Marijuana Information Links Lawmakers Make Bid for Medical Marijuana Some Lawmakers Want Pot Legalized for Sick Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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Comment #2 posted by season on February 17, 2002 at 02:25:48 PT:
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| I have a mental diorder that interferes with my everyday moods. I have heard of many medical reasons to use the drug, however none include mental illness. I have been smoking marijuana for eight years. I have been prescribed various different legal drug's and seen several doctor's. I had a few short breaks (when I did not use) during my use and noticed that my behaviors and moods would return. I was always honest with all of my doctors and many have agreed that there are some beneficial effects, they have noticed in several of there clients, for the medical use of marijuana. They also commented that it helped in not only mood disorders but in others as well. If you have any information about this please send it to the above email address. If you would like to share or reprint this message feel free to do so.
Season [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #1 posted by Jose Melendez on February 16, 2002 at 16:32:21 PT:
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| from http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n271/a03.html?397 JUDGE ACQUITS VETERAN OFFICER ON DRUG CHARGE A veteran officer of the Toronto Police Service's central drug squad has been acquitted of possessing hashish for the purposes of trafficking after a judge concluded his rights had been violated by Ontario Provincial Police. The charge against Detective Constable Mark Denton was dismissed yesterday by Ontario Court Judge William Gorewich, who threw out evidence about a baggie of hashish seized from the officer's surveillance van. Det. Constable Denton was charged in November, 1999, after OPP in York Region, north of Toronto, stopped his van as he was driving home. They seized a duffel bag from the rear of the vehicle and found the hashish inside. Harry Black, the officer's lawyer, contended that the two OPP officers had no right to search the vehicle or seize anything because they had no warrant. Judge Gorewich agreed, in an oral decision that took two hours to deliver. [ Post Comment ] |
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