Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Only the state Senate's second vote of approval stands between legalized medical marijuana distribution and a signature by Gov. Bobby Jindal.
The state House of Representatives approved an amended version of Senate Bill 143, sponsored by state Sen. Fred Mills, R-Parks, on a 70-29 votes Thursday. Although the bill already was approved by the Senate once, the body must take it up again because it has seen amendments through the House.
The Senate approved the bill 22-13 the first time around.
"The amendments make it a little bit more conservative," Mills said in a phone interview Thursday. "I'm going to ask the Senate to approve these amendments."
The state actually legalized medical marijuana in the 1990s but never crafted a distribution system for the drug. Mills, as director of the state's pharmacy board, started researching the issue in 1998 and first introduced legislation last year.
The bill would legalize use of the oil derivative of marijuana grown specially to reduce the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that normally produces the drug's psychoactive effect when smoked recreationally. Per the bill, patients suffering glaucoma, the side effects of chemotherapy for cancer treatments and spastic quadriplegia, could receive prescriptions.
Use of the drug in raw, crude or inhalable form would be barred and Mills, a pharmacist, emphasized he tailored his legislation to minimize the "high" impact among users with a prescription.
The state District Attorney's Association (which has long opposed the legislation), state Sheriff's Association and state Department of Agriculture and Forestry would have input on any rules and regulations established by the state pharmacy board.
One of the notable amendments from the Senate included an expiration date of Jan. 1, 2020, as a way to bring up the legislation for any possible changes.
"It's not unusual to do it," Mills said. "In this case, I think it made both sides comfortable that we would discuss the issue again."
Sixteenth Judicial District Attorney Bo Duhé said the state District Attorney's Association essentially sides with the Food and Drug Administration on the issue and, because the FDA has not approved marijuana as an effective treatment of illnesses, continues to oppose the legislation.
Duhé said he believed Mills' legislation was thoughtful and well-intentioned, but said he believed the nation did not have a fully developed picture of states like Colorado that have legalized even recreational use of marijuana. The state association also pointed out the FDA is in Stage 3 trials for two marijuana derivative drugs that would become legally available if approved and claimed there is only anecdotal, rather than scientific, evidence supporting marijuana as an effective treatment of certain ailments.
Ultimately, Duhé said, he was concerned with the slippery slope the legislation could potentially create in the state.
"There's no doubt that Mr. Mills, as a pharmacist, is concerned with his providing relief to his patients with these illnesses," he said, speculating the bill could become "watered down" with changes down the road. "My biggest concern is it will just crack that door open and we haven't had the time to study the negative effects of medical marijuana."
Although no date has yet been set for the Senate's second consideration, Mills said it could be early next week, especially because the legislative session ends next Thursday.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical pot bill moves on - The Daily Iberian: News
Author: Zane Hill
Contact: Staff Directory - The Daily Iberian: Site
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The Daily Iberian: The Daily Iberian
The state House of Representatives approved an amended version of Senate Bill 143, sponsored by state Sen. Fred Mills, R-Parks, on a 70-29 votes Thursday. Although the bill already was approved by the Senate once, the body must take it up again because it has seen amendments through the House.
The Senate approved the bill 22-13 the first time around.
"The amendments make it a little bit more conservative," Mills said in a phone interview Thursday. "I'm going to ask the Senate to approve these amendments."
The state actually legalized medical marijuana in the 1990s but never crafted a distribution system for the drug. Mills, as director of the state's pharmacy board, started researching the issue in 1998 and first introduced legislation last year.
The bill would legalize use of the oil derivative of marijuana grown specially to reduce the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that normally produces the drug's psychoactive effect when smoked recreationally. Per the bill, patients suffering glaucoma, the side effects of chemotherapy for cancer treatments and spastic quadriplegia, could receive prescriptions.
Use of the drug in raw, crude or inhalable form would be barred and Mills, a pharmacist, emphasized he tailored his legislation to minimize the "high" impact among users with a prescription.
The state District Attorney's Association (which has long opposed the legislation), state Sheriff's Association and state Department of Agriculture and Forestry would have input on any rules and regulations established by the state pharmacy board.
One of the notable amendments from the Senate included an expiration date of Jan. 1, 2020, as a way to bring up the legislation for any possible changes.
"It's not unusual to do it," Mills said. "In this case, I think it made both sides comfortable that we would discuss the issue again."
Sixteenth Judicial District Attorney Bo Duhé said the state District Attorney's Association essentially sides with the Food and Drug Administration on the issue and, because the FDA has not approved marijuana as an effective treatment of illnesses, continues to oppose the legislation.
Duhé said he believed Mills' legislation was thoughtful and well-intentioned, but said he believed the nation did not have a fully developed picture of states like Colorado that have legalized even recreational use of marijuana. The state association also pointed out the FDA is in Stage 3 trials for two marijuana derivative drugs that would become legally available if approved and claimed there is only anecdotal, rather than scientific, evidence supporting marijuana as an effective treatment of certain ailments.
Ultimately, Duhé said, he was concerned with the slippery slope the legislation could potentially create in the state.
"There's no doubt that Mr. Mills, as a pharmacist, is concerned with his providing relief to his patients with these illnesses," he said, speculating the bill could become "watered down" with changes down the road. "My biggest concern is it will just crack that door open and we haven't had the time to study the negative effects of medical marijuana."
Although no date has yet been set for the Senate's second consideration, Mills said it could be early next week, especially because the legislative session ends next Thursday.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical pot bill moves on - The Daily Iberian: News
Author: Zane Hill
Contact: Staff Directory - The Daily Iberian: Site
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The Daily Iberian: The Daily Iberian
