cannabisnews.com: Senate Takes Up Medical Marijuana Legislation





Senate Takes Up Medical Marijuana Legislation
Posted by CN Staff on June 03, 2005 at 20:50:11 PT
By Susan Haigh, Associated Press Writer
Source: Associated Press 
Hartford, Conn. -- The state Senate was debating a bill Friday night that would fully legalize the medical use of marijuana for debilitating illnesses such as AIDS and cancer. Proponents said they've heard from physicians that smoking the illegal drug can reduce everything from severe pain and nausea to seizures and persistent muscle spasms.
"I view it as throwing out just one oar to someone who is drowning in a sea of disease," said Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, who had opposed medical marijuana for the first 11 years of his 13-year Senate career. He said constituents changed his mind when they told him of their experiences using the drug. This is the first time the Connecticut Senate has taken up the legislation. In 2004, an amendment allowing chronically ill patients to grow and use marijuana passed the House of Representatives but never received a Senate vote. Opponents questioned whether it was proper for the legislature to consider legalizing the medical use of marijuana because the bill has both scientific and medical ramifications. "Are we the appropriate body to decide that?" asked Sen. William Nickerson, R-Greenwich. "I suggest that we are not." Connecticut already has a medical marijuana law on the books, one of the first in the nation. Under the 1981 law, a doctor can prescribe the illegal drug to relieve nausea associated with chemotherapy and eye pressure from glaucoma. But the law is unworkable because, under federal law, a physician who prescribes marijuana can be sent to prison and risks having his or her medical license revoked. That's why no prescriptions for marijuana have been issued since the law was approved. Under the new bill, the Department of Consumer Protection could license physicians to certify a patient's use of marijuana for treatment of various debilitating conditions without fear of arrest or prosecution. A patient with such a certification could then legally cultivate and grow up to four marijuana plants for personal use. The bill does not spell out how the patient would obtain marijuana seeds, but allows them to do so legally. The patient would need to register with the Department of Consumer Protection within five days of receiving the certification. There would be a $25 fee. According to the bill, a "debilitating medical condition" means cancer, glaucoma, HIV-AIDS, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord, epilepsy, cachexia or wasting syndrome. Eleven other states have some form of medical marijuana law on the books, said Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, co-chairman of the legislature's Judiciary Committee. He said a University of Connecticut poll last year found 83 percent of state residents support legalizing the medical use of marijuana. "They know that it can provide relief to people in their darkest hours," McDonald said. Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Susan Haigh, Associated Press WriterPublished: June 3, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmJoint Support - Hartford Advocate http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20729.shtmlMedical Marijuana Bill Returns http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20246.shtmlLawmakers Reintroduce Medical Marijuana Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20244.shtml 
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Comment #6 posted by jose melendez on June 04, 2005 at 19:56:22 PT
hempfest ROCKED
George Clinton, Loretta Nall, Cannabis Action Network, so many great t-shirts, stickers and hemp goods . . . the cops were thick but professional.Of course, they were shooting video from a hotel window next door, so I handed out and we held up signs that said, Drug War IS Crime!They don't stand a chance. We've got the Funk!One Nation Under a Groove http://www.gnofn.org/~1nation/intro.html
8th Annual Jacksonville FL Hemp Festival
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Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on June 04, 2005 at 11:54:49 PT
Stop w/ the BS excuses
"Are we the appropriate body to decide that?" asked Sen. William Nickerson, R-Greenwich. "I suggest that we are not."So, you are voting to arrest and jail the sick and dying for using marijuana? People don't realize that Medical MJ isn't illegal through some loophole in the law or something...hundreds of professional legislators around the country vote each year to jail the sick. Nickerson is apparently proud to join the ranks of the cruel & heartless.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on June 04, 2005 at 07:03:20 PT
News Brief from WFSB News
State Senate Approves Medical Marijuana
 
 
June 4, 2005HARTFORD (AP) - A bill to legalize medical marijuana is heading to the Connecticut House. The Senate approved the bill 19-to-15 early today. It would allow the Department of Consumer Protection to license physicians, who could then certify patients for medical marijuana. A certified patient could cultivate and grow up to four plants for personal use. The drug could be used by people with diseases such as cancer, glaucoma, H-I-V-AIDS, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis. http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=3430762
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Comment #3 posted by jose melendez on June 04, 2005 at 05:22:07 PT
cities
Anyone in North Florida today?http://www.jaxhempfest.com/ See also:http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/389/calendar.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by OverwhelmSam on June 04, 2005 at 04:37:58 PT
Time To Start Working On The Cities
They have the right idea in Colorado. Change all of the city ordinances to where it's just a warning ticket against marijuana. What's the state going to do? My bet is the states will follow suit.Overwhelm Uncle Sam
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Comment #1 posted by Taylor121 on June 03, 2005 at 21:00:59 PT
Good to See it Making Progress
I hope they pass it soon!
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