cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Bill Now in Kansas House
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Medical Marijuana Bill Now in Kansas House
Posted by CN Staff on February 04, 2010 at 05:53:29 PT
By David Klepper, The Star’s Topeka Correspondent
Source: Kansas City Star
Topeka -- The peaceful plains of Kansas wouldn’t seem to be fertile ground for medical marijuana. After all, Kansas was the first to embrace Prohibition, and one of the last to end it. Even today, you can’t find full-strength beer on a grocery store shelf.Yet in the same week that state lawmakers voted to make Kansas the first state to outlaw a synthetic form of pot, a Wichita legislator introduced a bill to legalize marijuana with a doctor’s prescription.
“I just think it’s the right thing to do,” said Rep. Gail Finney, a Wichita Democrat.Finney has lupus, which she said makes her sympathetic to those with chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s, cancer and HIV.Finney’s bill would set up state-registered “compassionate care centers,” where those with prescriptions could buy marijuana for the treatment of pain or debilitating illnesses. Finney’s bill also would require the marijuana be grown in the Sunflower State.Fourteen states already legalize medical marijuana in some fashion, including Kansas’ neighbor Colorado. Medical marijuana bills have been introduced in several other states, including Missouri.But Kansas? The state that made Carry Nation and her hatchet famous?Indeed, many lawmakers said they’re not convinced there’s a need.“Let’s be honest, this would be an attempt to legalize marijuana,” said Rep. Scott Schwab, an Olathe Republican. “It has no benefit for pain management. All it does is make you crave another bag of chips.”Kansas lawmakers are more apt to outlaw a drug than legalize it. In the past five years, lawmakers voted to criminalize salvia divinorum and jimson weed. This year they’re targeting synthetic cannibinoids, lab-produced chemicals that mimic the effect of marijuana and are sold as incense.“It’s a lot easier to outlaw (a drug) than it is to get one legalized,” said Rep. Rob Olson, the Olathe Republican who sponsored the House bill outlawing synthetic marijuana. The bill passed a final House vote on Wednesday.But Finney suspects the times may be a changing. She said several lawmakers have quietly endorsed her idea.“Everybody said ‘oh, it’s a good idea, but I don’t want to touch it,’ ” she said.That confirms the suspicion of Keith Stroup, founder of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Stroup said NORML’s studies show that 80 percent of Americans favor medical marijuana.“Even in Midwestern states like Kansas, where the politics can be conservative, people support this,” he said. “We’ve largely won the hearts and minds of the American public, but we haven’t yet figured out fully how to translate that into public policy.”Bob Stephan, former Kansas attorney general, has advocated for medical marijuana for years. He endured years of chemotherapy in the ‘70s and said fellow patients found that marijuana worked wonders on the pain and nausea.Stephan predicts Kansas will someday legalize medical marijuana — but only after lawmakers realize it won’t hurt them politically.“For some reason marijuana just drives people up the wall,” he said. “It’s OK to have morphine and every drug known to man — some with just awful side effects. But not marijuana.”A legislative hearing for Finney’s bill hasn’t been scheduled. Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican and chairwoman of the House health committee, said she opposes medical marijuana. But she’s open to holding hearings.“If we have time,” Landwehr said.Source: Kansas City Star (MO)Author: David Klepper, The Star’s Topeka CorrespondentPublished: February 3, 2010Copyright: 2010 The Kansas City StarContact: letters kcstar.comWebsite: http://www.kcstar.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/gqfE95zrCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #25 posted by rchandar on February 09, 2010 at 08:06:24 PT:
Universer
I myself prefer to eat pizza. Chips give me the wind.
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Comment #24 posted by runruff on February 06, 2010 at 00:05:57 PT
See, the thing about overstatements is;
Overstatements are a double edged sword. You must be aware of which side is the sharpest."only makes you want a bag of chips... "I might ask, "I did two years for this"?I'd like five minutes alone in a room with this guy.....no 10 seconds!
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on February 05, 2010 at 10:35:42 PT
Hope
Did you see Colbert won a Grammy for his Christmas special when Willie Nelson sang that cool Christmas song? I thought that was great.
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Comment #22 posted by Hope on February 05, 2010 at 10:13:41 PT
Jon Stuart
should pick up and do something about some of these things these guys say.If the cannabis, herb of earth and seed, only makes you want a bag of chips... stimulates your appetite, why in the world is it against the law?
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Comment #21 posted by FoM on February 05, 2010 at 09:51:40 PT
Bionic man
Here it is. This is a blog post so I didn't notice it until you mentioned it. Thanks.URL: http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2010/02/04/on-marijuana-the-arrest-and-prosecution-industry/
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Comment #20 posted by bionic man on February 05, 2010 at 09:39:59 PT
alter net
I agree the format is difficult, the author is Steve Fox and "On Marijuana; the Arrest and Prosecution Industry" was under drugs, which is under the Living header. Sorry for the inability to post article, time for a puter checkup
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on February 05, 2010 at 09:29:14 PT
bionic man
I find the new format on Alternet hard to figure out but here is the drug related link. I'm not sure what article you are referring too though.http://www.alternet.org/drugs/
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Comment #18 posted by bionic man on February 05, 2010 at 09:20:51 PT
alter net
There is a interesting article over at alter net. " On Marijuana; the prosecution and arrest industry". I am having frustrating computer problems trying to post it. check it out.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on February 05, 2010 at 06:47:49 PT
Just a Note
I haven't found any news to post so far but I will keep looking. We are going to get a big snow storm starting today and I'm looking forward to it. We have food, wood and everything we need to ride it out. If I would not post over this weekend it would be because of trouble getting connected. That could happen and I wanted to mention it if I just disappear. 
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Comment #16 posted by Universer on February 04, 2010 at 21:41:43 PT
They don't listen to themselves.
"All it does is make you crave another bag of chips." -- Scott SchwabWell, that's certainly reason enough to completely prohibit its use by responsible adults.Fascist.
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Comment #15 posted by Paint with light on February 04, 2010 at 14:45:50 PT
That's a pretty big niche
"This one product is going to be for this niche group that wants to get high but doesn't want to get caught."I would say everyone who consumes or uses cannabis in any way doesn't want to get caught(arrested).Calling this a niche group is like calling the Grand Canyon a small ditch.I haven't heard of the synthetic pot K2 or spice.Is it just chemicals that have been around awhile(like PCP) and just relabeled "synthetic pot"?Sounds like that would be an argument for legalization, so people don't have to experiment with synthetics, knowingly or unknowingly.Or...make it legal like alcohol.
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on February 04, 2010 at 14:11:46 PT
Kansas House OKs Bill Banning Synthetic Pot
February 4, 2010Topeka -- A bill aimed at stopping the spread of synthetic marijuana won the Kansas House's approval Wednesday, as legislators move quickly to enact what they believe is the nation's first ban on altered herbs sometimes known as "K2" or "Spice."The bill, approved 110-11, targets two chemicals that are sprayed or sprinkled as a powder on herbs, so that they can be smoked and produce a pot-like high. The legislation also deals with two chemicals used for a new form of the illegal, euphoria-inducing drug Ecstasy.It would become illegal to possess or sell those chemicals, just as it is for marijuana.Law enforcement officials in northeast Kansas have said they began seeing people using synthetic but legal marijuana last summer. "It has expanded over the last six months," said Master Deputy Chris Farkes of the Johnson County Sheriff's Department, who handles drug cases. "This one product is going to be for this niche group that wants to get high but doesn't want to get caught."The Senate approved its own bill two weeks ago, 36-1. Its measure is slightly different, and the two chambers must agree on a single version."We can do this quickly," said Sen. Vicki Schmidt, R-Topeka, a pharmacist who's pushing her chamber's bill.A ban would take effect within two weeks of Gov. Mark Parkinson signing it. Critics of the proposals argue that legislators are moving too quickly and not taking time to consider whether synthetic marijuana could have medical uses."It just seems like this discussion is a little premature," said House Minority Leader Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, where at least one store is selling the synthetic but legal marijuana. "This bill has been put on a fast track, and I'm not sure this is a prolific issue that merits us taking action right now."Copyright: 2010 Associated PressURL: http://www.kansas.com/topstories/story/1165778.html
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on February 04, 2010 at 12:40:46 PT
Sam
Thank you. The movie sounds interesting. We really aren't a progressive country. I wonder why we are called the melting pot of the world when we show so much hostility towards those who are different. PS: Earthquake off coast of northern California.
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Comment #12 posted by Sam Adams on February 04, 2010 at 12:02:36 PT
one note
in the full length "Outraged" movie, none of the politicians' faces are blacked out! I think this has been making the rounds of Sundance channel, I saw it a few months ago.
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Comment #11 posted by Sam Adams on February 04, 2010 at 11:59:34 PT
here ya go!
Outraged trailer, great movie....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaTsmXaw5NQ
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Comment #10 posted by Sam Adams on February 04, 2010 at 11:51:16 PT
dont' ask don't tell
yes if you're gay you're welcome to become a US Senator, especially Republican. But if you volunteer and train for years to sacrifice yourself for your country you get kicked out for being gay.most people don't realize that thousands of people are kicked out of the military every year for being gay. Including people that graduated from the academies, combat veterans, officers, etc.check out the movie "Outraged" if you can. It's detailed profiles of all the Rebuplican senators and governors who are obviously gay men. excellent movie.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on February 04, 2010 at 10:43:51 PT
Canis420 
We all are tired but this is where we are. Legalization for the majority of the states just isn't there yet. Many more people need to be educated first. People are for the medical use of marijuana so that's why we are moving forward even though we have big bumps in the road. When I think of the static about don't ask don't tell that comes from the right it reminds me how narrow minded some people are.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on February 04, 2010 at 10:39:14 PT
Hope
That's what I saw in the article and I agree.
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Comment #7 posted by Canis420 on February 04, 2010 at 10:18:38 PT:
I am tired 
of reading about all these problems with medi pot. Just legalize it outright for adults and all these problems go up in smoke. Regulate it for sub-adults but leave us adults alone for pete's sake and everybody else's sake.
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on February 04, 2010 at 10:01:13 PT
Let's be honest?
He wouldn't know honesty if it jumped on him and was beating him about the head and shoulders.It does have benefit for pain management. Maybe not for him, but for some other people, it certainly does help, and without damaging their body. Schwab is the dishonest one.“Let’s be honest, this would be an attempt to legalize marijuana,” said Rep. Scott Schwab, an Olathe Republican. “It has no benefit for pain management. All it does is make you crave another bag of chips.”
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Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on February 04, 2010 at 09:45:52 PT
the age
>>said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Voters of every age have entered the Age of Aquarius."so I guess my grandfather, who had his kidneys destroyed by acetaminophen and died of renal failure, was NOT living the "age of Aquarius"what a jackass. I guess for many Americans it must be fun to joke around about those who are suffering
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on February 04, 2010 at 09:16:09 PT
New York Medical Marijuana Poll
New Poll Shows Most New Yorkers Consider Medical Marijuana A "Good Idea" February 4, 2010 
(RTTNews) - A new Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday showed that most New Yorkers consider medical marijuana a "good idea."According to the poll, which surveyed 2,182 New York State voters January 27 - February 1, 71% of New Yorkers believe medical marijuana is a "good idea."Medical marijuana even got some surprising support among Republicans, with 55% supporting it if a patient's doctor prescribes it."It hasn't attracted a lot of attention, but New York State voters would like to emulate their New Jersey neighbors and approve medical use of marijuana," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Voters of every age have entered the Age of Aquarius." 
Among voters aging 45 to 64 years old, 75% voiced support for medical marijuana. For voters over 65, 63% support medical marijuana.URL: http://www.rttnews.com/Content/PoliticalNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1201448
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on February 04, 2010 at 07:57:14 PT
Sam
I really don't understand how any politician can consider outlawing what Nature put on this earth. 
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Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on February 04, 2010 at 07:48:17 PT
jimsonweed
pretty funny, that's like trying to outlaw poison ivy! Are they going to arrest the cows and deer for eating jimsonweed?the government has too much power
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 04, 2010 at 07:17:29 PT
Wichita Democrat Introduces Medical Marijuana Bill
Wichita Democrat Introduces Medical Marijuana Bill in Kansas HouseFebruary 4, 2010Topeka — A Kansas legislator has introduced a bill that would legalize marijuana use with a doctor's prescription.The bill from Rep. Gail Finney, a Wichita Democrat, would set up state-registered "compassionate care centers" where people with prescriptions could buy marijuana. The bill also would require that the centers use only Kansas-grown marijuana.Supporters of medical marijuana says it helps ease pain from chronic diseases.But some state lawmakers were unconvinced.Rep. Scoot Schwab, a Republican from Olathe, says the bill is simply a way to legalize marijuana. He says he doesn't believe the drug helps with pain management.A legislative hearing for Finney's bill hasn't been scheduled.Copyright: 2010 Associated PressURL: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/feb/04/wichita-democrat-introduces-medical-marijuana-bill/
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