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| Medical Marijuana Campaign Building |
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Posted by CN Staff on May 29, 2002 at 19:15:04 PT By Rob Moritz Source: Times Record 
Supporters of legislation to legalize marijuana for medical use are moving ahead with their campaign despite the election loss of a key state Senate supporter.Sen. John Riggs, D-Little Rock, lost his re-election bid in the state Democratic primary last week. He had said he would support a bill during the next legislative session that would legalize marijuana use for chronically-ill patients under a doctor’s care. Denelle Campbell, executive director of the northwest Arkansas-based Alliance for Reform of Drug Policy, said Tuesday that the organization is “disappointed” that Riggs will not be re-elected, but the campaign to get legislative support is continuing. “We are moving forward,” she said, adding that the organization is developing a video that will look at the issue. The video will be distributed to every candidate running for the House and Senate in the Nov. 5 general election. The alliance also is: * Establishing a list of 10 speakers who will be available for local civic and community groups during the summer and early fall. * Meeting with professional consultants to help develop a plan to sell its message to lawmakers. * Planning to poll voters on their opinion of lawmakers who support legalizing marijuana for medical use. Campbell also said that “a couple” of senators are considering picking up the bill now that Riggs is leaving the Legislature. “Right now there is nothing to do because it’s in interim study,” Riggs said Tuesday. “I would think after it goes before the health committee would be the time to find some sponsors for it.” That proposal is expected to be discussed by the Senate and House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committees before the November election. Campbell said her organization will present experts to speak at the meeting. Campbell said she did not think Riggs’ outspoken support of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes cost the senator his seat. She said Riggs had been redistricted into a minority district and his opponent, Irma Hunter Brown, is an experienced former state representative. Campbell also noted that a poll done last year by the University of Arkansas’ political science department showed two-thirds of the 767 polled supported allowing seriously ill patients to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. The Alliance for Reform of Drug Policy in Arkansas has received a $2,000 grant from the National Drug Policy Reform organization to help cover campaign expenses, Campbell. She said the organization has applied for a $50,000 grant that would help pay for developing “a strategy for getting this bill moved through the Legislature.” “We want all the candidates running for the Legislature to be educated on this issue,” Campbell said. The law allowing marijuana use for chronically ill patients would be patterned after an Oregon law and the activity would be regulated by the state Health Department. Nine states now have such laws. Source: Southwest Times-Record (AR) Related Articles & Web Sites: ARDPArk, Inc. Medical Marijuana Information Links Medical Use Of Marijuana Favored By State Senator Lawmaker Plans Push To Legalize Medical Marijuana Marijuana Helps Her Live Again Disabled Woman Says Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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