cannabisnews.com: House Panel Backs Medical Marijuana Bill





House Panel Backs Medical Marijuana Bill
Posted by CN Staff on March 20, 2009 at 05:20:22 PT
By Kevin Landrigan, Staff Writer
Source: Nashua Telegraph
Concord, NH -- A bill to legalize the medical use of marijuana took a small but important step forward Wednesday. A 13-7 supportive vote of the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee sent an amended bill (HB 648) to the House of Representatives for debate next week.“We’re very happy. We think the committee took its time,” said Matthew Simon, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy.
The bill makes legal possession of up to six plants and 2 ounces of useable marijuana for someone with a debilitating medical condition who has the approval of a physician.Those getting it have to cultivate the marijuana plants at home or get another eligible patient who has a surplus of it to give them some.“Access could be a problem, but they will be happy not to be criminals,” Simon said.State Rep. Cindy Rosenwald, D-Nashua, said this was a more narrowly drawn bill than one she opposed two years ago.“This is still against federal law. The people using marijuana also know that and that is a risk they are willing to take,” Rosenwald said.“I came to a conclusion for myself that I needed to get out of the way.’’’Since 2000, the House has killed four such bills.Two years ago, however, the House killed it by only a nine-vote margin and that leads supporters to be hopeful they could get this bill through the House. Opponents stressed marijuana use was still illegal under federal law and most medical organizations oppose or have taken no position on this change.“I just think there is no right way to do the wrong thing,” said Rep. Peter Batula, R-Merrimack.Rep. Evalyn Merrick, D-Lancaster, authored the bill and smoked marijuana herself to treat nausea during cancer treatment several years ago.“This bill isn’t about granting them permission or acceptance of what we are doing here,” Merrick said. “This bill is about this state and some of the people we serve.”Gov. John Lynch is still reviewing the issue, said Colin Manning, his press secretary.“The governor has concerns about the bill,” Manning said. “It is in conflict with federal law, and he will continue to talk to lawmakers and members of law enforcement and medical community about it.”U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters Wednesday the federal government would not raid marijuana distributors unless they are violating federal and state laws.During the 2008 campaign, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made the same statement.Maine, Vermont and Rhode Island are among the 13 states with medical marijuana laws.Legislation like New Hampshire’s bill is pending before lawmakers in eight other states. The Legislature in two other states killed similar bills earlier this year.Rep. John Cebowski, R-Bedford, said the bill would only encourage patients to buy marijuana illegally.“This is a pure, gray market, back-alley approach to health care,” Cerbowski said. Qualifications: The following describes a “debilitating medical condition’’ that is required for someone to receive marijuana for medicinal purposes under legislation (HB 648) a House committee endorsed Wednesday.1) A chronic or terminal disease or medical condition whose symptoms or result of treatment may include cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe pain that has not responded to previously prescribed medication or surgical measures for more than three months, severe nausea, severe vomiting, seizures, or severe, persistent muscle spasms.2) A chronic or terminal disease which may include cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Crohn’s disease, agitation of Alzheimer’s disease or multiple sclerosis. Source: Nashua Telegraph, The (Nashua, NH)Author: Kevin Landrigan, Staff WriterPublished: Thursday, March 19, 2009Copyright: 2009 Telegraph Publishing CompanyContact: letters nashuatelegraph.comWebsite: http://www.nashuatelegraph.comURL: http://drugsense.org/url/XH7wI7cpCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by Vincent on March 22, 2009 at 07:48:00 PT:
Med Marijuana in NH
An observation: the article mentions 2 Representatives that were against this bill--Republicans of course.
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Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on March 20, 2009 at 09:42:59 PT
NH bill
but this isn't government, this bill was written by MPP-funded professionals.
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Comment #4 posted by dongenero on March 20, 2009 at 08:27:25 PT
sick
Government truly needs to got out of the ends of peoples' lives.If you cannot just simply help, at least don't hurt. Just get out of the way.
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Comment #3 posted by dongenero on March 20, 2009 at 08:24:26 PT
Yes...
and by the way, we just need to cut you up a little bit first.
A little dissection here, a little dissection there, just to meet the requirements you understand.Brutal.
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Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on March 20, 2009 at 07:48:26 PT
can you imagine
Here cancer patient, only 3 months of gagging and puking until you can have relief! Just count the days, it won't be long!
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Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on March 20, 2009 at 07:45:24 PT
good news but I don't like the flaws
What is up with this???>>>whose symptoms or result of treatment may include cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe pain that has not responded to previously prescribed medication or surgical measures for more than three months,That is a cruel insult. You can use this beneficial, safe, non-toxic herb, but only after you've taken prescription meds for 3 months and HAD SURGERY to try to fix your problem.In other words, you must first give Big Pharma and the specialty medical industry some business before we let you use a natural herb for pain relief.Sounds like medical slavery to me. I hate to see stuff like this, show some spine people, don't compromise with this crap.
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