cannabisnews.com: 50 Lawmakers Back Medical Marijuana 50 Lawmakers Back Medical Marijuana Posted by FoM on February 08, 2002 at 07:32:51 PT By Douglas Tallman, News-Post Staff Source: Frederick News Post More than 50 lawmakers have signed on to a bill that would legalize marijuana for the terminally ill, a proposal that has been killed in legislative committees for the last two years. But with so many cosponsors on the bill, a key supporter said it was a sign the three-year effort was gaining momentum. "I am confident we will do better this year," said Delegate Donald Murphy, R-Baltimore County. "Cancer patients and AIDS patients can't afford to wait another year.""This is a pro-life bill," Delegate Janet Greenip, R-Anne Arundel, said at a press conference Thursday for the bill. "This is one way to make sure people at the end of their life don't have to suffer."Among the supporters are Democratic and Republican leaders of the House, as well as Delegate Dan Morhaim, an emergency room physician, and Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, a nurse.Also signed on are three Frederick County delegates: Republicans Louise Snodgrass and David Brinkley, both cancer survivors, and Democrat Sue Hecht.The bill envisions patients who face debilitating illnesses, with a recommendation from their doctor, would apply to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for an identification card.With the card, the patients would be immune from prosecution for possession or cultivation of small amounts of marijuana.Patients and their primary caregivers would be required to grow marijuana in secure indoor facilities, to prevent theft."So many families are getting (marijuana) illegally because they can't bear to watch their family members when they don't have much time," Ms. Snodgrass said."If doctors can prescribe codeine and morphine, then marijuana should not be a problem," said Delegate Clarence Davis, D-Baltimore.The bill was drafted in response to the death of Darrell Putman, a Vietnam-era Green Beret who lived in Woodbine. Mr. Putman told Mr. Murphy that he turned to marijuana after contracting Hodgkin's lymphoma, describing his fear that he could lose his home and business if convicted."He wouldn't have turned to this lightly," Mr. Murphy said.Mr. Brinkley described his own cancer fight 12 years ago. The cancer treatments made him very sick. Swallowing was a chore, making the act of eating nearly impossible. Marijuana, he said, would encourage patients to eat and get their strength back.Mr. Murphy introduced the first bill for the 2000 General Assembly, anticipating Mr. Putman would testify in support. Mr. Putman died before the session began.The House Judiciary Committee shot down the 2000 bill. The 2001 version died in the Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee.Nine of the sponsors sit on the House Judiciary Committee, Mr. Murphy said."I'm afraid to let the chairman know I've got the votes," Mr. Murphy said.But if the bill survives a floor vote in the House, the Senate's judicial panel is considered a greater hurdle.Last month, Gonzales/Arscott Research & Communications Inc. released the results of a poll showing voters would support candidates who support medical marijuana."There are some senators who are going to have to take a look at that poll," Mr. Murphy said. "If we can't convince them now, we're going to have to convince them in November."Mr. Murphy's bill would prevent a prosecution. Other bills have been introduced in case it fails to pass.Delegate Dana Dembrow, D-Montgomery, has a bill that would allow patients facing prosecution to say at their trial they were using marijuana for their illness.And Delegate Thomas Hutchins, R-Charles, has a bill that would allow judges to consider medical necessity for patients convicted of marijuana crimes.While 10,000 people die each year from cancer, Mr. Murphy said, no one dies from marijuana."Pretzels are more dangerous than marijuana," he joked. Source: Frederick News Post (MD) Author: Douglas Tallman, News-Post Staff Published: Friday, February 8, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Great Southern Printing and Manufacturing CompanyWebsite: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/Contact: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/contact/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmBipartisan Support for Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11798.shtmlMedical Marijuana Gaining Supporthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11784.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by Peter on February 09, 2002 at 11:05:03 PT: Great - you have to die to use cannabis I've been suffering incredible migraines for around 20 years now. 15 years of conventional treatment with little effect except for major side effects and some major damage from the drugs. It was getting so bad I was thinking about going on disability. A little over two years ago, after discussions with some doctors, I triedpot. Amazing. Using small amounts as a preventative have almost totally eliminated my migraines. No side effects. I'm back to a normal home and work life.I've been waiting for the state I live in to allow legal use of cannabis for medical use. But in all the states that have done this, none except California probably allow its use for migraines. They're not severe enough. You don't die from them.I guess I'm just screwed. My choice is to live within the law and basically drop out of work and family life or use an illegal drug and live a full, productive life. I'm betting that one day I will get arrested for possession. I'll probably get no jail time but will be fired from my job and be branded a criminal.Just sucks-Peter [ Post Comment ] Post Comment