cannabisnews.com: Residents Speak Out for Medicinal Marijuana 





Residents Speak Out for Medicinal Marijuana 
Posted by CN Staff on February 26, 2003 at 22:05:21 PT
By Jo Becker
Source: Washington Post 
Erin Hildebrandt's Crohn's disease and chronic migraines were so debilitating that the 32-year-old mother of five once worried that she would never be able to properly care for her children. She tried various powerful narcotics to deal with the pain, but found no relief. Now she worries that she could be arrested and her children taken away because she found a drug that works: pot.
With Maryland lawmakers considering legalizing the use of medical marijuana, the Washington County woman was among witnesses to testify yesterday before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Cancer sufferers told lawmakers how the drug had helped them withstand chemotherapy. Del. Dan K. Morhaim (D-Baltimore County), a doctor, said that for some patients, marijuana is far superior to alternatives in treating nausea.But opponents worried that legalizing the drug for medicinal purposes would send the wrong message to children and could potentially put the state in conflict with the federal government. The Hospice Network of Maryland, while supportive of the effort, said the bill would decriminalize the drug for medical use -- but not for the doctors who prescribe it. Nine states administer active medical marijuana programs. But the federal government recently prosecuted a California man who grew marijuana to be sold for medicinal uses under the auspices of that state's laws.Maryland's bill has an ally in Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R). Spokesman Henry Fawell said the governor "supports the concept" but has not decided whether to support the bill.Source: Washington Post (DC)Author: Jo BeckerPublished: Thursday, February 27, 2003; Page B05 Copyright: 2003 Washington Post Contact: letterstoed washpost.comWebsite: http://www.washingtonpost.com Related Articles & Web Site:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Medical Marijuana Bill Breathes Life in Annapolis http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15320.shtmlLegislators Try Again with Medical Marijuana Bill http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15314.shtmlMedical Marijuana Gets Nod of Ehrlich http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15216.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by AlvinCool on February 27, 2003 at 04:30:44 PT
Virtual Activism
One after another these wormy politicians craft letters and speeches to "almost" feel for our cause but since the federal government says it's bad their "hands are tied". They all suggest we change federal law. Of course THEY are the conduit to changing federal law.Therefore maybe Mapinc, Norml, MPP and all other pro cannabis groups should consider pooling for a day a month for virtual activism. Consider that each day we participated would hit that much harder. 
Want to be heard? READ THIS
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Comment #1 posted by Virgil on February 26, 2003 at 22:36:59 PT
WOW. 245 words
What got the WP so chatty on MMJ? Don't they have some warmongering to do for the fascists?
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