cannabisnews.com: Bipartisan Support for Medical Marijuana Bipartisan Support for Medical Marijuana Posted by FoM on January 19, 2002 at 08:01:55 PT By Margie Hyslop Source: Washington Times Marijuana users who rely on the drug to relieve nausea or other effects of chronic illness would gain some protection against punishment for possession in Maryland under three bills backed by a bipartisan group. Top Stories Proposals to decriminalize marijuana for medical use died in the House in 2000 and in the Senate last year, and lawmakers often avoid controversial bills in an election year. But the issue got a boost this week from results of a statewide poll. In a telephone poll of 833 registered voters likely to cast ballots in November's election, 37 percent of respondents said they would be more likely to support a candidate who backs allowing patients to use marijuana if they have a physician's approval. Forty percent said a candidate's position on medical marijuana would not affect their vote, 18 percent said they'd be less likely to support such a candidate and 5 percent were undecided. A medicinal-marijuana law garnered the highest support from independents, at 48 percent. Republicans were split almost evenly, with 29 percent more likely to support a pro-medicinal marijuana candidate and 26 percent less likely. Among Democrats, 39 percent were more likely to back such a candidate and 13 percent were less likely. The largest percentage of members of both parties — 45 percent of Democrats and 35 percent of Republicans — said a candidate's position on medicinal marijuana would not affect their votes. The poll was conducted by Gonzales/Arscott Research and Communications between Jan. 9 and 12 and has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. Defendants found guilty of possessing marijuana would be guaranteed the right to raise medical necessity as a mitigating factor during sentencing under a bill offered by Delegate Thomas E. "Tim" Hutchins, Charles County Republican. Mr. Hutchins, a retired state trooper and former commandant of the state police training academy, voted against decriminalizing marijuana when it came before the House Judiciary Committee in 2000. But he said he was moved by what he'd heard about patients' suffering and the relief marijuana gave those not helped by other palliatives. Mr. Hutchins said he was also encouraged to learn that a judge he respected had allowed medicinal use to be considered in a trial. "It's still a crime, but it won't take anything away from judges, and it's the right thing to do," Mr. Hutchins said. Delegate Dana Dembrow, Montgomery County Democrat, a lawyer who has backed decriminalizing marijuana for medical need, is sponsoring legislation that would allow medical necessity as a defense at trial. Juries or judges, as finders of fact, would decide in each case whether marijuana was needed. Delegate Donald E. Murphy, a Republican who represents Howard and Baltimore counties, said he will file a bill to decriminalize medicinal use again this year. But he said he plans to add a provision that the measure is not a step toward legalization, nor is it meant to advocate recreational marijuana use. Eight states have passed laws that allow patients to use marijuana when other drugs don't help such debilitating effects as nausea and weight loss. Last year, in a case targeting California's marijuana-buyers clubs, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government can enforce federal prohibitions on marijuana. But federal authorities have never arrested a patient or caregiver in states where medicinal use of marijuana is approved, said Billy Rogers, director of state policies for the D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project.Source: Washington Times (DC)Author: Margie HyslopPublished: January 19, 2002Copyright: 2002 News World Communications, Inc.Website: http://www.washtimes.com/Contact: letters washingtontimes.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Medical Marijuana Gaining Supporthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11784.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by E_Johnson on January 19, 2002 at 18:57:07 PT I hate it when they say Bush is dumb Gore lied to college students on MTV Choose or Lose about science on medical mariuana that any college student knows how to find easily on the Internet. How dumb was that?Bush knew exactly when to mumble "states' rights" when he got the medical marijuana question. But he won't be able to give that answer the next time, given the actions of his adminstration. In fact I think they'd better avoid the whole issue of states' rights in the next election or two, which leaves them minus a big part of their own philosophy. Hmmm... what does that imply?Okay, maybe Bush is dumb after all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by ekim on January 19, 2002 at 16:38:49 PT: DRCNet Interview: Colorado Sheriff Bill Masters : Peter Webster Date: Fri Jan 18, 2002 11:27 pm Subject: !!! DRCNet Interview: Colorado Sheriff Bill Masters [excerpt] The Week Online with DRCNet, Issue #220 -- January 18, 2002 A Publication of the Drug Reform Coordination Network This issue on the web: http://www.drcnet.org/wol/220.html5. DRCNet Interview: Colorado Sheriff Bill MastersSheriff Bill Masters has been the law in San Miguel County, most well-known for the town of Telluride, since 1980. First serving as a Republican, he switched to the Libertarian Party and is now the nation's only Libertarian sheriff. In recent years, Masters began to speak out publicly against the drug war, criticizing it as ineffective, unjust and inhumane. Now Masters has written a book, "Drug War Addiction: Notes from the Front Line of America's #1 Policy Disaster," which would make a great gift idea from drug reformers to their local Officer Friendly -- if he still be found -- or law enforcement decision-maker. (The book is available from Accurate Press, (800) 374-4049, or http://www.accuratepress.net and soon on Amazon.com.) DRCNet spoke with the sheriff this week. WOL: You've been sheriff for 22 years. What prompted you to write this book now? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by lookinside on January 19, 2002 at 16:12:00 PT: EJ.. good point! I wondered why Gore took the anti's choice...I think that the stigma of Clinton's increase in drug arrests turned enough people toward the Green And Libertarian Parties...I think 2-3% of the electorate voted for Bush because he was an unknown quantity on the issue..(The thinking: We KNOW that Gore will follow Clinton's policies; maybe Bush will be more flexible...)Gore could offer me $1000 to vote for him...I'd agree and take the money, and vote Libertarian anyway...Screw him... [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on January 19, 2002 at 09:37:22 PT What's that sound coming from Al Gore's butt? That muffled sound coming from Al Gore's expanding butt is Al Gore telling himself "Gee, I must have had my head up my butt when I came out against medical marijuana and pandered to the Drug Free America movement during my campaign against Bush." [ Post Comment ] Post Comment