cannabisnews.com: Smoke To Your Health





Smoke To Your Health
Posted by CN Staff on February 23, 2005 at 23:00:01 PT
By Michelle Mashburn, Daily Reporter
Source: North Texas Daily 
George McMahon would love to see the legalization of medical marijuana in Texas, and if state legislation filed last month passes, McMahon, along with many others like him, could get his wish. McMahon, who receives medical marijuana to ease the chronic pain of his rare disease, Nail-Patella Syndrome, spoke at a medical marijuana forum held Wednesday night at the Lyceum on the first floor of the University Union.
Last Thursday, medical marijuana advocates lobbied at the state capitol in support of HB-658. The bill would change the state's health and safety code, allowing those with legitimate medical conditions and a physician's recommendation to defend themselves if arrested for possession of marijuana. The bill is pending in what can be a rather time-consuming legislative process, but some believe that the mere discussion of a medical marijuana initiative in a conservative stronghold like Texas is reason to celebrate. "We were able to educate [the representatives] about the benefits of medical marijuana," said Noelle Davis, executive director of Texans for Medical Marijuana. "A couple of the representatives said that if the bill makes it to the House floor, they would vote for it." The author of the bill, Democratic Representative Elliott Naishtat, was in legislative session and unavailable for comment. According to Naishtat's office, the bill has been assigned to the state criminal jurisprudence committee, which is chaired by Republican Representative Terry Keel. Keel is also the joint author of the bill. He could not be reached for comment. A date for a hearing on the issue has not been set, but if approved by the committee, the bill will move on to the calendars committee, where it will be assigned a time for debate on the House floor. Twelve states have already passed medical marijuana initiatives, according the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and many supporters are hoping that Texas will soon join the ranks. According to a Scripps Howard poll of Texans last fall, 75 percent approved allowing people with cancer and other serious illnesses to use marijuana for medical purposes with their doctor's approval. Others, like Dr. Kimi King, NT associate professor of political science, believe that a future for medical marijuana in Texas is highly unlikely. "It will not happen in Texas," King said. "We have too much of a culture that relies on tradition, and they just won't support it. There's no political will to do it in Texas." Still others, like the Texans for Medical Marijuana, are hopeful for the future. "This is about providing people with a better quality of life when they are suffering, and that cuts across party lines," Davis said. Note: Medical marijuana bill introduced to Texas House of Representatives.Source: North Texas Daily (TX Edu)Author: Michelle Mashburn, Daily ReporterPublished: February 24, 2005 Copyright: 2005 North Texas DailyContact: aaw0001 unt.eduWebsite: http://www.ntdaily.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Texans For Medical Marijuanahttp://texansformedicalmarijuana.org/George McMahon's Home Pagehttp://www.trvnet.net/~mmcmahon/Medical Pot Has Support in Austin http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20252.shtmlPoll Finds 75% of Texans Support Med Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19840.shtml 
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #3 posted by mayan on February 24, 2005 at 18:03:35 PT
75% Vs. "Tradition"
According to a Scripps Howard poll of Texans last fall, 75 percent approved allowing people with cancer and other serious illnesses to use marijuana for medical purposes with their doctor's approval.The people have spoken."It will not happen in Texas," King said. "We have too much of a culture that relies on tradition, and they just won't support it. There's no political will to do it in Texas."Bozo has spoken. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by siege on February 24, 2005 at 06:09:57 PT
 Ventura County Star 
County kids say booze is prevalentWhat's also disturbing, Weis said, is that 41 percent of county 11th-graders surveyed had tried marijuana. The number nearly mirrors the 43 percent of high school juniors who sampled County kids say booze is prevalentWhat's also disturbing, Weis said, is that 41 percent of county 11th-graders surveyed had tried marijuana. The number nearly mirrors the 43 percent of high school juniors who sampled alcohol.What's wrong he can not make 41 percent of them into alcoholics.http://www.venturacountystar.com/vcs/county_news/article/0,1375,VCS_226_3572429,00.html.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by Sukoi on February 24, 2005 at 04:00:18 PT
Neolle Davis
I know Noelle, she is a wonderful young lady doing great things and working very hard for MMJ patients. Here is a loosely related article from the same source:Medical marijuana patient shares his storyhttp://www.ntdaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/02/24/421d7b85ca487?in_archive=1
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment