T
The420Guy
Guest
A bill that would reduce criminal penalties for seriously ill people who
smoke marijuana is headed to the governor.
The state Senate approved a medical marijuana bill on Friday by a vote of
30-16. The legislation would set a maximum fine of $100 and no jail time
for defendants who can convince a judge they need to smoke marijuana for
medical reasons.
Under current state law, possession or use of marijuana can bring penalties
of up to a year in prison or a $1,000 fine.
Gov. Robert Ehrlich has repeatedly said that he supports the concept of
medical marijuana, but has not taken a stand on the legislation headed to
his desk.
Backers of the legislation say smoking marijuana can ease the symptoms of
serious illnesses such as cancer, HIV or AIDS, multiple sclerosis and
Crohn's disease, and can help patients suffering from nausea hold down food
and medications.
But some Republicans in Washington, including White House drug czar John P.
Walters, have been pressuring Ehrlich to veto the measure, which they say
offers a false and illegal remedy to the sick.
Ehrlich spokesman Henry Fawell said Ehrlich "appreciates the input" from
the Bush administration, but "there certainly is a difference in philosophy
when it comes to medical marijuana."
States with medical marijuana laws include Hawaii, Oregon, Alaska and
California.
Pubdate: Sat, 05 Apr 2003
Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Copyright: 2003 Associated Press
Author: John Biemer, Associated Press Writer
smoke marijuana is headed to the governor.
The state Senate approved a medical marijuana bill on Friday by a vote of
30-16. The legislation would set a maximum fine of $100 and no jail time
for defendants who can convince a judge they need to smoke marijuana for
medical reasons.
Under current state law, possession or use of marijuana can bring penalties
of up to a year in prison or a $1,000 fine.
Gov. Robert Ehrlich has repeatedly said that he supports the concept of
medical marijuana, but has not taken a stand on the legislation headed to
his desk.
Backers of the legislation say smoking marijuana can ease the symptoms of
serious illnesses such as cancer, HIV or AIDS, multiple sclerosis and
Crohn's disease, and can help patients suffering from nausea hold down food
and medications.
But some Republicans in Washington, including White House drug czar John P.
Walters, have been pressuring Ehrlich to veto the measure, which they say
offers a false and illegal remedy to the sick.
Ehrlich spokesman Henry Fawell said Ehrlich "appreciates the input" from
the Bush administration, but "there certainly is a difference in philosophy
when it comes to medical marijuana."
States with medical marijuana laws include Hawaii, Oregon, Alaska and
California.
Pubdate: Sat, 05 Apr 2003
Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Copyright: 2003 Associated Press
Author: John Biemer, Associated Press Writer