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| Delegate Continues Campaign for Marijuana Bill |
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Posted by FoM on April 04, 2002 at 08:45:40 PT By Susan Gervasi, Journal Staff Writer Source: Prince George's Journal 
Continuing his General Assembly campaign for passage of medical marijuana legislation, Del. Don Murphy, D-12th-Baltimore County, urged the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee to support legislation that passed late last month on the House side by 80-56. The bill is called the Darrell Putman Compassionate Use Act for a late Howard County farmer and cancer patient who, while undergoing chemotherapy treatments, found that smoking marijuana enhanced his appetite and helped with nausea. Some studies have suggested the herb can help with glaucoma, epilepsy, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis. Eight states have laws allowing its use for medical purposes. ``I'm here to ask for your support," Murphy said to a panel of senators that included Leo Green, D-23rd-Bowie. ``I'm here on behalf of the 24,000 people in the state of Maryland who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. This bill is very important to them." Murphy's bill, which was co-sponsored by more than 50 other delegates, including some from Prince George's, would allow individuals whose doctors have recommended marijuana use for medical purposes to invoke that recommendation as a defense if they go to court for possession of the herb. Judges who find such individuals guilty could not fine them more than $100 dollars as a penalty. Under current law, pot possession can bring up to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail. ``The bill does not make marijuana legal," Murphy said. ``It allows cancer patients whose doctors have recommended it to come in and argue the medical necessity defense. It eliminates the fear of jail, and that's one less thing to worry about in the balance of what may be a very short life." Del. David R. Brinkley, R-4th-Frederick, told the senators that as a former cancer patient, he could empathize with those who might find relief in smoking marijuana. ``Part of the mission in treatment in any kind of cancer is to come after the entire body - to poison the whole system, and the theory is that healthy cells regenerate," Brinkley said. ``Part of the necessity for that is adequate nutrition." Brinkley said that though he had been able to keep food down, other cancer patients were not so fortunate, and could possibly benefit from marijuana use. ``It's not a conservative, or liberal, or Republican or Democrtat issue," he said. ``I ask my colleages, liberal and conservative, to support this bill." Complete Title: Delegate Continues Campaign for Medical Marijuana Bill Source: Prince George's Journal (MD) Related Articles & Web Sites: Marijuana Policy Project Coalition for Compassionate Access Marijuana Bill Nearing Crucial Vote Medical Marijuana Advances In Md. Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #12 posted by FoM on April 05, 2002 at 21:17:01 PT |
| Medical Marijuana Bill Killed
Legislation that would have eased penalties for people who smoke marijuana to lessen the pain of chronic illness was killed in the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee yesterday. The House passed the proposal last month, and advocates were hopeful that this year would yield victory after several years of lobbying. Advocates include cancer patients and others who said that smoking marijuana eases nausea caused by chemotherapy and other treatments. "We're disappointed. This is a bad day for seriously ill patients in Maryland," said Billy Rogers, of the Marijuana Policy Project. He said advocates will try again next year. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4407-2002Apr5.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #11 posted by FoM on April 05, 2002 at 20:10:55 PT |
| I will check the Washington Post when they update after midnight. I'm very upset about this. It's time to reschedule marijuana now. We won't get anywhere until they get it out of Schedule I but that's just my opinion and frustration speaking. Thanks again. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #10 posted by Fernando Mosquera on April 05, 2002 at 20:00:14 PT:
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| The earliest you'll see an article is tomorrow morning. The news came a little bit after 5 pm so I'm not sure if we made the morning deadlines. I was in the office (MPP) when Donald Murphy called with the bad news. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by FoM on April 05, 2002 at 19:40:59 PT |
| I've looked all over in the Maryland papers and haven't found anything so far. Could you post a link so I can get the article posted. Thank you. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #8 posted by Fernando Mosquera on April 05, 2002 at 18:40:07 PT:
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| Maryland Senate Votes To Continue Arresting Patients Today the Maryland Senate Judiciary committee voted 6-5 against the Darrell Putman Compassionate Use Act, putting an end to this year's effort to remove the threat of arrest for medical marijuana patients. I have an urge to try out my College Park riot training on Asa Hutchinson and Senator Ferguson right about now. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #7 posted by PAUL PETERSON on April 05, 2002 at 11:49:51 PT:
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| Hey, I don't want to sound stuck-up or nothing, really. But what I mean is that when Asa Hutchinson sends a threatening letter to the Maryland Legislature, shaking his FED STICK and telling them people will get busted for using medical marijuana! He is 1) wrong, because the feds can't bust for mere individual possession anymore when the state gives the right to possess (the Supreme Court decision CAREFULLY dodged that issue because there is case law on point), 2) wrong, because the media tended to support that when they overreacted to the Supreme Court decision (and left him the space to try to reinforce that very misnomer-and then to wrongly AFFECT A VALID STATE LEGISLATIVE MATTER-which he was absolutely wrong to do-seperation of powers dude!), 3) chicken, to then go there to that very state and think he has a valid photo op, and then get chicken just because a couple of citizens speak up with some really elementary questions and all, & finally, 4) invited to Illinois for a replay of this very interchange, on my turf or his (my church or his) and so I must, for the benefit of my society, SHOW THE GUTS TO CHALLENGE HIM TO A DUEL, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, HERE IN THE LAND OF LINCOLN, IN THE 21ST CENTURY, and that's that! So if I have to sound like I am stuck up to get something going that needs to get going, and to get him STANDING UP AND STAYING IN THE BUILDING by seeming like I am STUCK UP well-again THAT'5 THAT- I/VE GOT THE BALLS TO BE THE STUCK UP GUY THAT THINKS I'M BALLSIER THAN ASA HUTCHINSON, who slinked outa da building when he shoulda stayed put! I'm lining up some CHURCHES in town for some town hall debates on these subjects, and he is the guy I wanta debate, chicken or not, eh? Asa Hutchinson, are you listening? This week I have circulated flyers to various offices, including Chicago's DEA, suggesting that they pay me $400 for seminars on "MEDICAL MARIJUANA SENSITIVITY TRAINING", and my letter includes this challenge (although the personal challenge to Asa Hutchinson starts here, right now, in this space). Now that that is done, yes, ILLINOIS HAS THE BEST DARNED MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW IN THE BOOKS, for 30 years, no less. 720 ILCS 550 (the Cannabis Control Act), section 11, stated 8/16/71, when the whole act was revamped and they sort of slipped this in as a mickey. It said then they "may" authorize cannabis possession (etc.-the etc.'s don't mean much, though, with the present status in fed town) by people engaged in research, and there is an EXEMPTION from prosecution to the extent of the authorization. Section 15 says they "shall" encourage research on cannabis (from then to now-no change, and sadly, no use of this MANDATE to encourage, etc.). In 1978, a guy testified that glaucoma can be "researched" by watching the pressure in one person's eyes and if it workds "then give him the cannabis to save his eyesight!". Based on that testimony, they added a BANGUP clause: "and where the request for authorization (has) a certification by a physician that the use of cannabis is NECESSARY FOR THE TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA, CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY, OR ANY OTHER PROCEDURE CERTIFIED NECESSARY, the authorization SHALL ISSUE WITHOUT UNNECESSARY DELAY!" (That means "shall promptly authorize" and the discretion is vested with the doctor, not the state, and there is NO DEA LANGUAGE!). In fact, a guy testified 5/8/80 that "the DDC (Dangerous Drug Commission) is finally getting cannabis into the hands of cancer doctors to help their patients!" Meaning that we had an actual program, this guy was Senator Grotberg, he died of cancer, I think this proves he was a patient who got cannabis (just guessing, of course). After that they added Radiation as the conditions specifically authorized (with more testimony that this doesn't mean it is close-ended-"any other procedure" means just that, anything else a doctor says is necessary!). In 1984 (George Orwell or what!), the Reagan Storm Troopers came in and abolished the DDC. I just got a FOIA request back from the new department that stated "we never authorized marijuana-but we have NO RECORD OF ANY ACTIVITIES OF THE DANGEROUS DRUG COMMMISSION!" That means, true to character-they killed the program, then burned the evidence, and probably sliced the throats (or cut out the tongues-depending on whose screenplay we use) of any living person that wouldn't be muzzled and bought out! So now, since I spoke up and tried to get something done about this thing, the ARDC (Attorney Registration And Disciplinary Commission) took my license to practice law away, and they committed FRAUD, PERJURY, MAIL FRAUD, & AING AND ABETTING PERJURY to do it, all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court! And by the way, NORML IS WRONG on their web site, and I have tried to get them to change their error. MPP is wrong, they have it listed incorrectly (although I know these people all mean well-Somebody after somebody merely has accepted the chicanery of people that researched and "guided" these web sites long ago to the conclusions that appeared to be correct, without ever checking the MICROFILM, or asking more questions! Please contact Brian Brickner at info@illinoisnorml.org, or call him at 773-395-9708, he 1) knows all about this law, 2) knows me and knows what and how I have developed this story, 3) knows that I am broke and have lost everything in my life due to this attempt & 4) would like your help to help me to help other people in this state to GET SOMETHING DONE HERE ABOUT THIS-so we can add Illinois to the list as the 9th column (actually the oldest-the first column, but who'se keeping track, eh?). I need immediate funding to keep this thing going, or else the Illinois Legistature will snuff out this light this year. They are making it a crime to publish information over the internet, and threatened me with that last summer if I didn't shut up! I have been asking MPP for funding and for help, and they told me not to even contact them again, because I am "unprofessional", and "unfocused" (I'm sorry if there is some ego problem-not mine-even if I do need to seem pushy for certain people, eh?). No other group thinks Illinois has the slightest chance of any success, me thinks. So I am a LONE WARRIOR, and I again state that I HAVE ENTERED THE BUILDING-ANYBODY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT? (yOU cAN rEAD aLL aBOUT iT oN mY sITE aT [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by PonziScheme on April 04, 2002 at 12:25:28 PT |
| For a breakdown of both active and inactive state medi-pot laws, check out: http://www.mpp.org/statelaw/index.html NORML has a similar index on their site. Illinois is hardly alone. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by PonziScheme on April 04, 2002 at 12:21:08 PT |
| Eight states have current active medical marijuana laws. More than 30 have passed medical marijuana laws, either laws allowing for medical prescriptions or therapeutic cannabis research programs, that are dormant like Illinois. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by FoM on April 04, 2002 at 10:42:48 PT |
| I haven't been following all of the comments but I went to NORML's web site and found this information. It says there is no medical marijuana law currently. I hope this helps. I assume that NORML is up to date with the web site but I could be wrong.
Illinois
Laws in Illinois [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by E_Johnson on April 04, 2002 at 10:28:08 PT |
| Del. David R. Brinkley, R-4th-Frederick, told the senators that as a former cancer patient, he could empathize with those who might find relief in smoking marijuana. '`Part of the mission in treatment in any kind of cancer is to come after the entire body - to poison the whole system, and the theory is that healthy cells regenerate," Brinkley said. ``Part of the necessity for that is adequate nutrition." These people who argue that we can't use marijuana because we don't know whether it is 100% safe or not -- are ignoring the fact that most substances that are legally prescribable as medicines are substances that we KNOW FOR SURE are not 100% safe. Most of the legal medicines in the pharmacy are very dangerous if used incorrectly. And some even when used correctly. Chemotherapy works when it kills the cancer faster than it kills the rest of the body. Tamoxifen kills breast cancer and prevents its return, but it can cause uterine cancer. Yet I don't see it being denied to sick women on that basis. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by p4me on April 04, 2002 at 09:47:56 PT |
| I will not put up email like this again. I only do it to show support for the truth. Paul, I hope you know what you are talking about. Anyway, I believe you. We just need to get the facts acknowledged by the press. Here is the email I sent. I read an article by Susan Gervasi at http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread12439.shtml I am glad to see any coverage as one of the biggest outcries of the cannabis reform people is lack of coverage by the media. There is a Paul Peterson that says that Illinois has medical marijuana laws that have been on the books for 30 years and has a website at http://ILLINOIS-MMI.org/ I can understand why you said that only 8 states have MMJ laws as that is always said. However, true journalism is built on facts. It is my belief that there is a strong possibility that Illinois is not the 9th state to have MMJ laws but the first of nine. Not only that their 30 year old laws are more progressive than the ones since California in 1996. I will refer you to paulpeterson@illinois-mmi.org He is a lawyer by training and a persecuted medical marijuana patient and very intelligent. If Susan Gervasi is any kind of journalist see should at least contact Mr. Peterson and explore the truth. What Mr. Peterson has to say is an article far more important than her coverage of the Maryland situation. Thank you for covering the cannabis story in Maryland. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by p4me on April 04, 2002 at 09:19:13 PT |
| This bill seems to still ask sick people to deal with the unscrupulous dealers in the black market and to pay high prices for something that could be as cheap as garlic. Which in earlier articles it did mention growing rights in secured areas. That is still asking a lot for someone sick with cancer. And if you haul someone into court just think of the emotional and physical drain much less the chunk of money the lawyers will want. It is going in the right direction but it is way short of satisfactory to the sensible. This article says:Eight states have laws allowing its use for medical purposes. For Paul Peterson, I will email the address shown here and say that Illinois has MMJ and include the MMI website. Here is your chance Paul to tell about the situation in Illinois. If Paul is reading this, I will say that I read your website and was wondering what the statute number was of the law you are refering to. Also, I think you need to put the law as written up on your website. And for people that did not read his website, Paul says that these MMJ laws are not restricted to certain diseases like the Maryland bill and the spirit of the law was to allow for research that could help sick people. VAAI [ Post Comment ] |
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