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| Medical Marijuana Still Alive in Montpelier |
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Posted by CN Staff on May 02, 2002 at 13:43:51 PT By Tracy Schmaler, Vermont Press Bureau Source: Rutland Herald 
A bill legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes emerged from what many believed was a certain death Wednesday, when Senate leaders floated a compromise that would provide some legal protections to seriously ill patients who use the drug. The announcement breathed some life into a measure that was believed idle because of staunch opposition from Gov. Howard Dean and a dwindling legislative session. Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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Comment #1 posted by PAUL PETERSON on May 02, 2002 at 16:41:30 PT:
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| This proves the strength of the movement, to back away, regroup, reanalyze and return with new enthusiasm. Sears needs serious support right now. Yes, this suggestion on his part for an "affirmative defense" is extremely worthy for the following reasons: 1) Time is too short for full testimony for the better MM law, due to the cultivation, implimentation, regulation, police impact & federal interaction issues, not the least of which is the confiscation of contriband and potential for need to return same (California still has these issues with recalcitrant victorian sheriffs, etc.), 2) The current status quo with various federal appeals cases which will influence the genre in coming months may make any legislative actions commenced now in Vermont (or anywhere) either void, moot, or archaic, depending on how those judges (most notably in San Francisco) decide the DEA cases now pending, 3) Further research findings and reports now in the pike will totally make any legislative efforts obsolete within say, 6 months anyway (in my opinion), 4) These efforts must show some fruition, to further guide the various interstate issues now underway-this movement must make use of the serious efforts and risks undertaken by so many worthy legislators to date in Vermont, especially since there is such a strong push for progress there-REMEMBER NEW MEXICO should be their rallying cry! If some basic progress is not felt in Vermont, perhaps the momentum will be lost in the East-and we can't afford to lose that spirit, epecially since Governor Dean is supportive of this admittedly "compromise" bill for merely an "affirmative defense". Please, all interested parties-lobby the "advocacy groups" involved in that arena to strongly support Mr. Dean in this plan to keep the Phoenix spirit alive and well, and moving forward. THANKS FOR LISTENING. PAUL PETERSON email at paulpeterson@Illinois-MMI.org (The Illinois MM Initiative-remember, we in Illinois have had a world class medical marijuana law for 30 years, which has not been used in at least a generation, since that 1984 George Orwell year-You people in Vermont have a group of politicians that are trying hard to do something to move this matter to the fore. In Illinois-even though we have this world class law-the political venue here is so moribund that no one will even talk with me about these things-the mere fact I have used the word "pot" has caused me to lose my license to practice law-THE EXACT LANGUAGE IN THE STATUTE IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS DEVELOPING A CONSENSUS & MOVEMENT TO MAKE PROGRESS-PLEASE DON'T GET SO HARD SET ON "LANGUAGE" THAT YOU LOSE THE POTENTIAL FOR MOVEMENT TOWARDS THE GOAL). [ Post Comment ] |
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