cannabisnews.com: Expansion of Medical Marijuana Statute Becomes Law Expansion of Medical Marijuana Statute Becomes Law Posted by CN Staff on June 01, 2007 at 11:16:44 PT By The Associated Press Source: Associated Press Montpelier, Vt. --Vermont's medical marijuana law -- which lets people with life-threatening conditions use the illegal drug without fear of prosecution -- now covers people with chronic, debilitating conditions. On Thursday, a bill making that change became law after Gov. Jim Douglas balked at signing it. Under the state Constitution, any bill approved by the Legislature and sent to the governor becomes law if he doesn't sign it within five days. Douglas also balked at signing the original version of the law passed in 2004."The governor has compassion for people who are suffering from debilitating diseases, but he can't in good conscience sanction a violation of federal law," said spokesman Jason Gibbs.In addition to broadening the field of people covered, the law increases the number of plants they can grow at home and cuts the annual registration fee from $100 to $50.Vermont is one of 12 states that protect very sick people from prosecution for using marijuana. But its law remains relatively conservative compared with others, according to Dan Bernath, assistant communications director for the Marijuana Policy Project.Senate Majority Leader John Campbell, a former police officer, was among those in favor of expanding the law to cover more people, although he says he understood Douglas' reluctance."We chose to look at the human side, to take a compassionate view," said Campbell, D-Windsor.Multiple sclerosis sufferer Mark Tucci, of Manchester, one of 35 people on the state's medical marijuana registry, uses two ounces a month to relieve pain and muscle spasms.He welcomed the law change, but said it still won't be enough to let him legally grow the amount he needs."It still forces me out on the black market, but it certainly helps."Source: Associated Press (Wire)Published: June 1, 2007Copyright: 2007 Associated Press Related Articles:Governor Undecided on Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22976.shtmlPanel Approves Expansion of MMJ Programhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22545.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #9 posted by The GCW on June 01, 2007 at 20:49:52 PT US CO: PUB LTE: Volunteers needed for new marijuan US CO: PUB LTE: Volunteers needed for new marijuana initiative Pubdate: 1 June 2007Source: Summit Daily News (CO)Author: Kenny GriffinViewed at: http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20070601/LETTER/106010071 Volunteers needed for new marijuana initiativeKenny GriffinSummit County (The high country)A new initiative would create a Denver city ordinance designating private adult marijuana possession Denver's lowest law enforcement priority. It will be on the ballot in November 2007 with your help. SAFER (www.saferchoice.org) Colorado asked us to vote on Amendment 44 (to legalize marijuana for adults older than 21 in their homes throughout Colorado) in 2006. It garnered 62 percent of the vote in Summit County. Amendment 44 also received majority support in Boulder, Clear Creek, Eagle, Gilpin, Gunnison, La Plata, Lake, Pitkin, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, San Miguel, and Denver. Denver had already passed one bill minimizing the crime associated with marijuana use.You ask, why introduce another ballot measure? Well it seems the town officials (in Denver) and law enforcement don't understand what majority means. The citizens in Denver and across the Colorado Counties spoke loud and clear.They don't want adults punished for using a substance far safer then alcohol.This initiative campaign is a project of the SAFER Voter Education Fund. We encourage you to consider helping out the campaign by visiting Citizens for a Safer Denver to sign up as a volunteer or make a financial contribution. With your help, we can end arrests for adult marijuana possession in Colorado's capital city and make Denver safer (www.saferdenver.com).Voters in Seattle approved a virtually identical measure in 2003 and since then there has been a dramatic decline in the number of marijuana arrests and prosecutions in the city. Even those city officials who originally opposed the measure have acknowledged that its implementation has been very effective and safe. Moreover, it has allowed the city to focus on more serious problems without any additional costs to the taxpayers.As a registered voter, I remind people,the fact we voted on marijuana legalization and garnered more than 41 percent of the vote statewide. We won in 14 counties and came close in another 20-something counties. We won by voting on the measure. We will be on the ballot in 2007, as well as 2008, until a change comes and the citizens and politicians understand the fact, that marijuana is safer than alcohol.The Democrats and Republicans who are responsible for a non-partisan voting guide (The Blue Book), misled (a.k.a lied to you) in the Colorado Voter Guide on Amendment 44).They implied by voting "Yes" on 44, you would be able to give kids (15-17) marijuana with no penalty. This is a lie. It's a class 4 felony if you did. It is time for Colorado voters to say no more. Please contact SAFER and your local politicians and volunteer to help the petition drive.To help, you must be a Colorado citizen and must be a Denver registered voter to sign the petition.We need 6,000 signatures before the end of June. For more information, please visit www.saferchoice.org or www.saferdenver.com. I will see you and many more Colorado citizens as we help in Denver with the petition drive.We need 6,000 signatures before the end of June. For more information, please visit www.saferchoice.org or www.saferdenver.com. I will see you and many more Colorado citizens as we help in Denver with the petition drive.-0-0-0-0-Thank You, Kenny Griffin,You have been helping and many citizens appreciate what You're doing.The Green Collar WorkerPSWatch the Summit Daily's letter that Kenny got published and see what kind of comments He receives, below the letter. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by The GCW on June 01, 2007 at 20:43:22 PT OverwhelmSam, I believe Wayne Laugesen, is used for offering a balance at the Boulder Weekly, which is a somewhat progressive weekly. His column, Wayne's World, gets plenty of comments from readers in the letters to the editor section.I think most of the LTE's disagree with Wayne.Please consider sending a letter... [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by mayan on June 01, 2007 at 18:03:23 PT Lame Excuse "The governor has compassion for people who are suffering from debilitating diseases, but he can't in good conscience sanction a violation of federal law," said spokesman Jason Gibbs.Bullsh*t! Considering that the feds are treasonous murderers, going against them is the only way to maintain a good conscience!In other news, it's getting late in the game...US debt could trigger dollar collapse, UN warns: http://pressesc.com/01180629622_dollar_fallsWhen the economy tanks, our "leaders" will have to have another excuse for it besides their own incompetence. A major "terror attack" will be the likely culprit.THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Winnipeg 9/11 Truth packs 3 events in 2 days! http://911blogger.com/node/9091Barrie Zwicker on another Winnipeg channel (video): http://911blogger.com/node/9095Lost Luggage and the "Suicide" 9/11 Hijacker: http://mujca.com/nobaggage.htmFOX News Marginalizes Giuliani Critics And 9/11 Victims As “Campaign Crazies” And Democrat Kirsten Powers Helps: http://tinyurl.com/26sqgk9/11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB - OUR NATION IS IN PERIL: http://www.911sharethetruth.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by OverwhelmSam on June 01, 2007 at 16:20:12 PT Wayne Laugesen, Who Is This Creep The good doctor didn't specify any particular drug, perhaps he was referring to the legal drugs like caffiene.""Hi. My name is Joel Becker, and I'm a clinical psychologist. I'm going to ducktail off a little bit of what Andee said, but I think I'm going to go in a little bit of a different direction, because I'm going to encourage you to have sex, and I'm going to encourage you to use drugs appropriately ( resounding applause from kids ). And why I'm going to take that position is because you're going to do it anyway. So, my approach to this is to be realistic, and I think as a psychologist and a health educator, it's more important to educate you in a direction that you might actually stick to." It's a slam-dunk, Ms. Lacey. Colorado law says any person "who induces, aids or encourages a child to violate any federal or state law, municipal or county ordinance, or court order" commits a felony." The aurthor would be in jail if there were a law against sobriety freaks! Must be a cop or DEA. Why can't we just kill people like this jerk? Oh yeah, that would be wrong. Alas, at least some people in this Society have morals.Source: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n665/a15.html?999 [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on June 01, 2007 at 15:17:38 PT governors hey man, I'm with you all the way. Is there ever a valid excuse for being a coward, and sacrificing other people's suffering toward your gain?Look at Howard Dean - he killed the bill to make sure it didn't damage his political future. HA HA HA look where it got him [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by dongenero on June 01, 2007 at 13:58:44 PT just had to take that shot I mean, these self involved politicians worry about what message they send, worry about a clear conscience (yeah right),worry about political castration. Well, that is all trivial compared to what people face when they require medical cannabis in states where it is not allowed by law.Being deathly or chronically ill and incapacitated, probably facing financial hardship AND trying to use medical cannabis when it is illegal.....now there's something worth worrying about.I'm taking a no tolerance approach with prohibitionists and wishy washy politicians. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by sam Adams on June 01, 2007 at 13:35:17 PT great news This is a great accomplishment, congratulations to Vermonters and MPP. I see that doctors from NH, MA, and NY can also give recommendations. That is a great reason to move to VT from those states! You could still see your old doctor and get his/her recommendation.I wouldn't be too harsh on Douglas, he is Republican, and if he signed the bill it would be political castration within the Republican party. A failure to veto is every bit as good for us as signature. Compare him to Carcieri in RI, who is a real jerk. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 01, 2007 at 12:02:32 PT dongenero Oh that was funny. Thanks for the laugh. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by dongenero on June 01, 2007 at 11:22:44 PT hey Governor Douglas............ .........grow a pair. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment