cannabisnews.com: Md. Gov. Signs Medical Marijuana Bill










  Md. Gov. Signs Medical Marijuana Bill

Posted by CN Staff on May 22, 2003 at 15:10:41 PT
By Angela Potter, Associated Press 
Source: Associated Press 

Baltimore -- Refusing to bend to pressure from the Bush administration, Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich signed a bill Thursday that reduces criminal penalties for seriously ill people who smoke marijuana.Ehrlich is the first GOP governor to sign a bill protecting medical marijuana patients from jail, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. The Bush administration had pressed him to veto the measure.
Ehrlich had indicated his support for the bill early on as a way to help people with chronic illnesses ease their pain."This is a position I've had for many, many years," Ehrlich said Thursday. "It's not without controversy across parties, across chambers, across states, across the country."The new law does not legalize marijuana, but reduces the penalty to a maximum $100 fine with no jail time if defendants convince a judge they need marijuana for medical reasons. Previously, possession or use of marijuana brought penalties of up to a year in prison or a $1,000 fine.Supporters of the legislation say smoking marijuana can ease the symptoms of serious illnesses such as cancer or AIDS and help patients suffering from nausea hold down food and medications.Opponents, including White House drug czar John P. Walters, have objected that marijuana is a false and illegal remedy."It would be truly unfortunate if today's actions led, however unintentionally, to greater use or availability of dangerous drugs in Maryland," Walters said.Eight other states - Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Nevada and Maine - have medical marijuana laws.In Washington, House Republicans want to move drug enforcement money from state and local police officers to federal agents in states that have legalized medical marijuana. Source: Associated PressAuthor: Angela Potter, Associated PressPublished: May 22, 2003Copyright: 2003 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Ehrlich Lowers Fine for Medical Marijuana Users http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16357.shtmlDecision To Smoke Pot Shouldn't Involve Doctorhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16262.shtmlDrug Czar Calls Marijuana Bill Immoralhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15791.shtml 

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Comment #16 posted by FoM on May 24, 2003 at 08:14:32 PT
Kaptinemo 
I am so very sorry. I have had so many hostile attacks on me that I've had to stop getting public email. People that hate sure do hate. I pity those folks. What a sad way to live.
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Comment #15 posted by kaptinemo on May 24, 2003 at 05:52:32 PT:
Here, I'll even make it easy for ya
Have at it!  :)
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Comment #14 posted by kaptinemo on May 24, 2003 at 05:51:15 PT
Someone is NOT happy to see me back
I haven't posted my email addy more than 24 hours and some sophomoric fool tries to bomb me with viruses. Prior to that time, I hadn't had any virii show up in my mailbox since my hiatus began. Tsk, tsk, tsk...you'll have to do better than that, antis. Typical underhanded sneakiness - just what you'd expect from people who can't defend their viewpoints without resorting to lies and personal attacks.Want to try again, creeps?
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on May 23, 2003 at 14:12:19 PT
Kaptinemo 
It is good to see you. I know I too really enjoy reading the different comments. One thing I've noticed is that people have strong feelings about cannabis and what to do to bring change. I appreciate intelligent discussions. I always have no matter what I've been involved in during my life. We have good people here who really think about other people's feelings and that means so much to me.
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Comment #12 posted by kaptinemo on May 23, 2003 at 13:50:55 PT:
Yeah, I'm back...after a fashion
Although I have to say I am gratified to learn I've been missed, the truth is I have been monitoring what's been been happening here and in other sites for months. In that time, we've seen new 'faces' and some very sharp commentary being written by them. Which, in my mind, proved my point by staying away; new voices as well as old ones must be heard in order for the movement to stay healthy. Needless to say, that includes tolerating dissenting viewpoints.Suffice to say, I'll still drop in from time to time, but no one should look to me for any guidence; you have all you need, if your hearts and heads are in this. And it's obvious that many of you are in that category. My own projects are taking more time than expected...and one requires a massive amount of logistical preparation before it can be carried out. Bureaucrats (eeewwww!) are involved, and you know what that means.So, carry on, I'll be in the background as usual.It's good to be back.Oh, and antis..you can see my email addy, just as you used to (and never had the strength of convictions to write to me); I am more than willing to converse with you. That is, if you have the tough hide and the guts. Because I still have my electric turkey carving knife - and I've had months to get it really sharp. (Click! Whirrr! Whirrrrrrr!) See?
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on May 23, 2003 at 07:24:21 PT
Kaptinemo and Dan
I second Dr. Russo's welcome back. It's very good to see you.
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Comment #10 posted by Ethan Russo MD on May 23, 2003 at 05:30:33 PT:
Welcome Back
I would like to express my delight to see the erudite comments of Dan B and Kaptinemo once again!
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Comment #9 posted by kaptinemo on May 23, 2003 at 04:58:34 PT
I'm still reading CNEWS
Just not adding my tup'pence, is all. It's time for the young blood to have its' say...
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Comment #8 posted by Ethan Russo MD on May 22, 2003 at 20:10:48 PT:
Howard Dean: True Story
Forget about Howard Dean on the cannabis issue. A couple of years back, my friend John McPartland witnessed this scene at a press conference:Howard Dean was asked his opinion of industrial hemp, to which he replied, "Hemp--marijuana--Cannabis sativa---same species---no difference!"At which point, some quick-witted fellow in the audience jumped up and shouted back, "Politicians--criminals---Homo sapiens--same species--no difference!""At that point, Dean left the event in a snit, waving off all other questions. He is irretrievable.
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Comment #7 posted by The GCW on May 22, 2003 at 18:54:03 PT
We shall have respect,
while Joyce is in mourning.And let Us pray she moves to the other 42 states (including D.C. & Cannada), to help with more and more cannabis law reform.But really.Really, when You get right down to it, We should pray for the Joyce Nelepka's (sp)of the world, for I testify they really don't know what they do.With a lot of sincere love,The Green Collar Worker
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on May 22, 2003 at 18:22:35 PT
Hi CongressmanSuet 
I can't answer your question but it's good to see you! I forget names real easy so even if I heard of the Doctor you mentioned I'd probably forget. I don't forget Dr. Russo though. I like to blame my forgetfulness on stml because since I'm not a youngin anymore it makes me feel better! LOL!
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Comment #5 posted by mayan on May 22, 2003 at 18:13:46 PT
9 + 1 = 10
We're now in double figures! This is huge!!! We desperately needed a little momentum & we got it from Joyce's home state. Sorry, Joyce!AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ME, NV, OR, WA + MD = 10 states with medical marijuana laws...10 states & counting!The way out IS the way in...The Mouse That Roared - 9,000 FTW Subscribers Take on America(and the World)!
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/052103_roaring_mouse.html9/11 Families, Investigators Demand Truth About Air Security
http://rense.com/general37/911fam.htmThe Jackson Stephens link to the 9/11 "hijacker" training airport: 
http://www.madcowprod.com/index8.htmlSubscriber Buys FTW Full Page Ad in The Washington Post: 
http://www.scoop.co.nz/archive/scoop/stories/3f/e3/200305170039.46c42f4c.html
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Comment #4 posted by The GCW on May 22, 2003 at 17:58:00 PT
Howard Dean is a prohibitionist doctor. Yuck!
While this measure passed in Maryland, in Vermont, concerning a medical cannabis measure, this is what I read about Howard Dean..."Howard Dean, a former Vermont governor who is a physician and candidate for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States, strongly opposed the measure, as does his successor, Gov. James Douglas, who cites law-enforcement concerns." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n657/a03.html?1701The health concerns of using cannabis, are incomparable to the adverse health problems that incarceration produces, so I especially dislike hearing a doctor give more consideration to police than human health. It sounds like a quack quack here.And I do not any longer vote for prohibitionists.
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Comment #3 posted by CongressmanSuet on May 22, 2003 at 17:30:23 PT
Oh, one more thing...
     Lehder and Observer, you guys are the best. Nothing stops you.
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Comment #2 posted by CongressmanSuet on May 22, 2003 at 17:24:27 PT
Back from self imposed exile from...
     
      the edge, having been a non-poster for quite some time[but a daily affecianado of Cannabisnews.nonetheless] I would like to say Hi Martha, and I miss Kap. My question to all who read C-news right now is this...Where does Howard Dean stand on the issue of Medical Marijuana? I love the guy's philosophy, even though I know what a corrupt system he served for so many years as an M.D., my Dad was an MD. But I have never seen where this compassionate Democrat stands on this issue. Pleeeez, someone enlighten us....
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 22, 2003 at 15:17:35 PT

And The Walls Came Tumbling Down
This could turn out to be quite a good thing. I sure hope so.
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