T
The420Guy
Guest
Maryland, New Mexico, Texas Hold Hearings; Massachusetts, Vermont
Introduce Bills
Annapolis, MD: NORML Executive Director Keith Stroup testified before the
Maryland House and Senate this week in support of legislation that would
allow qualified patients to possess and cultivate marijuana for medicinal
purposes.
"While NORML's ultimate goal is to amend federal law so physicians may
prescribe marijuana legally, we whole-heartedly support the efforts of
states like Maryland to protect its most vulnerable citizens - the
seriously ill and dying - as best it can under state law," Stroup said.
"The scientific and historical record support the use of marijuana as a
medicine, and many patients find it to be the most effective way they can
alleviate their pain and suffering. We must not in good conscious deny
them that medication."
Maryland Senate Bill 705, introduced by Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince
George's County), is similar to laws recently passed in nine states which
exempt medical marijuana patients and their caregivers from state arrest
and criminal prosecution. The proposal would also establish a state-run
patient registry that would issue identification cards to qualifying
patients. Kelly Paige, manager of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program -
that state's confidential patient registry - testified that their system
is working as voters intended and does not conflict with federal law.
"With a larger than expected patient registration and physician
participation, and with no wide-scale criminal abuses, it would be safe
to deem the program quite successful," she said. "[We are] pleased that
Oregon's initiative and registration system are serving as models for
other states."
While Stroup applauded the legislature's decision to hold hearings on
the use of medicinal marijuana, he admitted that both S.B. 705 and its
companion bill, H.B. 940, introduced by Del. Donald Murphy (R-Baltimore
County) and 28 co-sponsors, face an uphill battle. "We've clearly gained
support in the House, but face a significant hurdle in the Senate,"
Stroup said, noting that Judicial Proceedings Committee Chair Walter
Baker (D-Cecil County) warned colleagues that "this bill isn't going
anywhere."
Maryland's proposal was one of several medical marijuana bills debated
in recent days. Last week, a pair of New Mexico bills legalizing the
possession of marijuana for medical purposes passed committees in the
House and Senate with bi-partisan support. Both bills now await action
before their house's respective judiciary committees.
Texas lawmakers also debated legislation this week that would allow
qualified medical marijuana patients an "affirmative defense of medical
necessity" against state criminal prosecution. House Bill 513,
introduced by Rep. Terry Keel (R-Austin), a sheriff and former
prosecutor, is the first of its kind to be debated by the legislature.
Texas NORML State Coordinator Rick D. Day testified in support of bill,
and said that he anticipates the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
will approve it next week. "The wording of the bill avoids conflict with
federal law, and the background of the sponsor cuts through the
skepticism of individuals in law enforcement," he said.
Earlier this week, legislators in Massachusetts and Vermont introduced
proposals to aid medical marijuana patients. In Massachusetts, lawmakers
have endorsed a pair of proposals to extend legal protections to patients
who possess and/or cultivate medical marijuana to treat a debilitating
illness. In Vermont, Rep. Fred Maslack (R-Poultney), is leading a
bi-partisan coalition of more than 20 lawmakers in support H.B. 364,
which seeks to exempt medical marijuana patients from arrest and
prosecution under state law, as well as establish a state-sanctioned,
non-profit corporation to distribute medical marijuana.
For more information on these bills and other pending marijuana-law
reform legislation, visit: Inactive Site.
NORML Foundation
1001 Connecticut Ave., NW
Ste. 710
Washington, DC 20036
202-483-8751 (p)
202-483-0057 (f)
www.norml.org
foundation@norml.org
Introduce Bills
Annapolis, MD: NORML Executive Director Keith Stroup testified before the
Maryland House and Senate this week in support of legislation that would
allow qualified patients to possess and cultivate marijuana for medicinal
purposes.
"While NORML's ultimate goal is to amend federal law so physicians may
prescribe marijuana legally, we whole-heartedly support the efforts of
states like Maryland to protect its most vulnerable citizens - the
seriously ill and dying - as best it can under state law," Stroup said.
"The scientific and historical record support the use of marijuana as a
medicine, and many patients find it to be the most effective way they can
alleviate their pain and suffering. We must not in good conscious deny
them that medication."
Maryland Senate Bill 705, introduced by Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince
George's County), is similar to laws recently passed in nine states which
exempt medical marijuana patients and their caregivers from state arrest
and criminal prosecution. The proposal would also establish a state-run
patient registry that would issue identification cards to qualifying
patients. Kelly Paige, manager of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program -
that state's confidential patient registry - testified that their system
is working as voters intended and does not conflict with federal law.
"With a larger than expected patient registration and physician
participation, and with no wide-scale criminal abuses, it would be safe
to deem the program quite successful," she said. "[We are] pleased that
Oregon's initiative and registration system are serving as models for
other states."
While Stroup applauded the legislature's decision to hold hearings on
the use of medicinal marijuana, he admitted that both S.B. 705 and its
companion bill, H.B. 940, introduced by Del. Donald Murphy (R-Baltimore
County) and 28 co-sponsors, face an uphill battle. "We've clearly gained
support in the House, but face a significant hurdle in the Senate,"
Stroup said, noting that Judicial Proceedings Committee Chair Walter
Baker (D-Cecil County) warned colleagues that "this bill isn't going
anywhere."
Maryland's proposal was one of several medical marijuana bills debated
in recent days. Last week, a pair of New Mexico bills legalizing the
possession of marijuana for medical purposes passed committees in the
House and Senate with bi-partisan support. Both bills now await action
before their house's respective judiciary committees.
Texas lawmakers also debated legislation this week that would allow
qualified medical marijuana patients an "affirmative defense of medical
necessity" against state criminal prosecution. House Bill 513,
introduced by Rep. Terry Keel (R-Austin), a sheriff and former
prosecutor, is the first of its kind to be debated by the legislature.
Texas NORML State Coordinator Rick D. Day testified in support of bill,
and said that he anticipates the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
will approve it next week. "The wording of the bill avoids conflict with
federal law, and the background of the sponsor cuts through the
skepticism of individuals in law enforcement," he said.
Earlier this week, legislators in Massachusetts and Vermont introduced
proposals to aid medical marijuana patients. In Massachusetts, lawmakers
have endorsed a pair of proposals to extend legal protections to patients
who possess and/or cultivate medical marijuana to treat a debilitating
illness. In Vermont, Rep. Fred Maslack (R-Poultney), is leading a
bi-partisan coalition of more than 20 lawmakers in support H.B. 364,
which seeks to exempt medical marijuana patients from arrest and
prosecution under state law, as well as establish a state-sanctioned,
non-profit corporation to distribute medical marijuana.
For more information on these bills and other pending marijuana-law
reform legislation, visit: Inactive Site.
NORML Foundation
1001 Connecticut Ave., NW
Ste. 710
Washington, DC 20036
202-483-8751 (p)
202-483-0057 (f)
www.norml.org
foundation@norml.org
