cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Supporters Expect Easier Road Medical Marijuana Supporters Expect Easier Road Posted by CN Staff on February 27, 2003 at 10:54:37 PT By Lauren King, Times Staff Writer Source: Carroll County Times Annapolis -- Medical marijuana proponents are optimistic about their chances of passing legislation that would give chronically ill or terminal patients the legal opportunity to use marijuana without fear of prosecution. On Wednesday, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and members of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee held a public hearing on a bill sponsored by EHEA Chairwoman Paula C. Hollinger, Del. Dan K. Morhaim, D-Baltimore, and Sen. David R. Brinkley, R-Carroll/Frederick. The bill would create a research program through the Board of Physicians Quality Assurance for the medical use of marijuana that would regularly report to the legislature about the basic safety, efficacy and nature of its medical use. The bill would also allow patients suffering from specific serious illnesses, their doctors and, in some instances, the patient's primary caregiver to apply to participate in the research program with protection from arrest and prosecution for the medical use of marijuana."The least that we can do is to do what we can to alleviate the pain," Hollinger said. "This is a very pressing issue for people that are suffering. It's no different thatn someone having morphine or codine or other schedule I drugs."But supporters, such as Sen. Nancy Jacobs, R-Harford/Cecil, are concerned that the bill allows patients to grow their own marijuana plants. The bill restricts the number of plants to seven - three which may be mature and the patient can only possess one usable ounce of marijuana per mature plant."You've got to get it figured out where they're going to get the plants or seeds in this bill," Jacobs told the bill sponsors. "We shouldn't legalize [patients] taking these risks. ... I've never seen anyone out selling seeds."Brinkley said that while the supply of marijuana and several other issues are important to the bill sponsors, this is a first step to give people suffering a chance at relief from their pain and from prosecution."We're trying to get the state off the backs of the patients first," Brinkley said. "People are already doing this now. ... These people don't have the luxury of time."Eric Sterling, of the Marijuana Policy Project, suggested that the committee considering amending the bill and allowing the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources be allowed to grow the marijuana for distribution to qualifying patients.But the bill's opponents, including George Butler, a drug investigator for the Carroll County state's attorney, contend that the passage of a medical marijuana bill would send children the wrong message about drug use."I think our youth are watching what you're doing here," Butler told the committee. "I would like to think that there are other drugs out there other than marijuana to help these people."However, Butler and the one other opponent that spoke Wednesday were overshadowed by personal testimony from people that testified that they have used or currently use marijuana to help relieve their pain.Erin Hildebrandt, of Smithsburg, suffers from Crohn's disease - an incurable disease that may inflame the small and large intestines - and serious migraines said that she uses marijuana to help maintain a normal life.She said that before she tried marijuana, she was confined to bed and that the only time she left was to go to the bathroom or to the hospital for help. She said that her migraines sent her to the emergency room on average three times a week, but since she started using marijuana she hasn't been back to the emergency room in three years.But either option - under current law - leaves her with few options when it comes to taking care of her five children."I have to wonder every day, will I be disabled by illness or thrown into jail?" she asked the committee. "This is just wrong and you have the power to change this. I'm begging you, please, pass this bill as soon as possible."Donald Murphy, a former delegate that spearheaded medical marijuana legislation last year, said that the chances the bill will pass this year are much greater. He said one of the biggest changes this year was the election. He said that former Sen. Timothy R. Ferguson's loss to Brinkley is indicative of people's opinions on medical marijuana."That was a big issue during the primary election," Murphy said. "Think of the message that his defeat sends to Republicans."Murphy said that he thinks that the bill has the votes in both Senate committees to bring the bill to the floor for a final vote. The two committees will vote on the issue in the coming weeks. If both approve the bill, it will go before the Senate for a final vote and then be sent to the House of Delegates for consideration. A twin bill is also filed in the House and is scheduled for a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday. Complete Title: Medical Marijuana Supporters Expect Easier Road This YearSource: Carroll County Times (MD)Author: Lauren King, Times Staff WriterPublished: February 27, 2003 Copyright: 2003 Carroll County OnlineContact: carolcty lcniofmd.comWebsite: http://www.carrollcountytimes.comRelated Articles & Web Sites:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Coalition for Compassionate Accesshttp://www.CompassionateAccess.org Medical Marijuana Bill Gains Momentum http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15586.shtmlResidents Speak Out for Medicinal Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15584.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by puff_tuff on February 27, 2003 at 12:25:57 PT Meanwhile back in Canada Lawmakers, police face new challenges as marijuana marches toward mainstreamJAMES MCCARTEN Canadian PressThursday, February 27, 2003 Canada.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Virgil on February 27, 2003 at 12:10:53 PT "It's what resides inside." Mr. Rogers of PBS fame died of cancer today. AOL mentioned his words in announcing his death- "It's what resides inside." The MMJ bill is the canary for corruption and ignorance of our bought and paid for politicians. If the canary dies the citizens should take it upon themselves to rid the legislature of its poison. As for the national Congress, they all need to go without exception for their crimes against humanity and of course their favorite charge in the WOSD, conspiracy.Mr. Rogers entertained with a world of make-believe while the prohibitionists want to create a world of make-believe with their propaganda. It is a real world with real suffering caused by prohibition and a cancer that has infected our institutions of government. We will see what resides inside the legislators of Maryland and they should know that the 80% who believe in MMJ are in the real world while the rest are in some land of make-believe.Hang them all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 27, 2003 at 11:55:57 PT If Someone Posted a Message and It Didn't Appear Please post it again. I see it shows 5 comments before this post I'm making but their are only 4 comments. I didn't delete anything and wanted to mention there might be a small glitch. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on February 27, 2003 at 11:47:41 PT A Question I've heard different folks say that if a server is outside the country that they will be ok even if the activity on the web site might not meet the criteria that the US Government feels is within their rights. What if they go to the International Drug Control Board and pass a law or something since the US is them I think? Just wondering. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by druid on February 27, 2003 at 11:25:18 PT Oh yea I forgot For those interested in being organized with some other activists around the country here are some flyers we are trying to get people to use as a standard so we look more organized.http://www.13mileshigh.com/mjactivism/index.htmFeel free to print off a few hundred and spread them around your town. :p1) college bulletin boards2) grocery store and other public bulletin boards3) local head shops4) buy a newspaper and throw a stack of flyers in on top of the other papers.5) put them on cars in a parking lot6) hand them out to people on the street7) post them to lamp posts and telephone poles8) anything else you can think of!---------------------------------------------From a post from another site:--------------------------------------------- Americans...Quit yelling at your TVs and write your congressmanposted by MissMesshttp://www.house.gov/writerep/http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officialsWriting an effective letter to your elected officials is not a difficult task. Here are a few guidelines.1. Write on your personal or business letterhead, if possible, and sign your name over your typed signature at the end of your message.2. Identify your subject clearly. State the name of the legislation you are writing about. Give the House or Senate bill number if you know it.3. State your reason for writing. Your own personal experience is your best supporting evidence. Explain how the issue would affect you or your family, business, or profession or what effect it could have on your state or community.4. Avoid stereotyped phrases and sentences that give the impression of "form" letters. They tend to identify your message as part of an organized pressure campaign and produce little or no impact.5. Ask the legislator to state his position on the issue in his reply. As his constituent you are entitled to know.6. Be reasonable. Do not ask for the impossible. Don't threaten. Don't say, "I'll never vote for you unless you do such and such." That will not help your cause; it may even hurt it.7. Consider the factor of timing. Try to write your position on a bill while it is in committee. Your Senators and Representatives can usually be more responsive to your appeal at that time, rather than later on when a committee has already approved the bill. Of course, this is not always the case. Sometimes your legislator may reserve judgment and his vote until the sentiment of his constituency has crystallized.8. Thank your legislator if he pleases you with his vote on an issue. Everyone appreciates a complimentary letter and remembers it. On the other hand, if his vote is contrary to your position, don't hesitate to let him know. He will remember that too!------------------------------Also...You can reach the Washington office of any member of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) and asking for your congressman or senator by name. If you are unable to speak with the legislator, leave the details of the message along with your name and address with the legislative aide or secretary.remember...these guys and ladies WANT to be in office for as long as "the people" will allow them to be....and if the majority of the people contact them and give their views and opinions on an issue and most are leaning in one direction chances are the rep is going to get serious about it. Wouldn't it be a dream come true if we could turn this country back into a Democracy? There seem to be far too many people in the US that cry out FOUL on many issues, but who are they crying out to?? Their television sets, their co-workers, their friends.....how many of those people actually let their voices get heard by someone that can make a difference? Honestly I don't know the stats but based on my experience I'd say much less than half...-------------------------------------------------thanks for listening [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on February 27, 2003 at 11:24:45 PT druid It doesn't surprise me. Long ago I knew that it was very important for me to do my best not to violate any laws or else risk problems. I've never attempted to sell any thing and free speech is sort of still free. If web sites are makng money and the product they are selling are illegal I would be concerned. Don't worry about CNews or Mapinc. Thanks for the article. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by druid on February 27, 2003 at 11:14:06 PT ARGH!!! The Feds are now moving on to other "illegal" sites!http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-986225.htmlFeds confiscate 'illegal' domain names By Declan McCullagh CNET News.com February 27, 2003, 4:09 AM PTTalkBack!WASHINGTON--Federal police have adopted a novel crime-fighting tactic: seizing control of domain names for Web sites that allegedly violate the law.Attorney General John Ashcroft said Monday that the domain names for several Web sites allegedly set up to sell illegal "drug paraphernalia" would be pointed at servers located at the Drug Enforcement Administration. A federal judge in Pittsburgh granted the U.S. Department of Justice permission to do so until a trial can take place, the government said.Wednesday afternoon, the DOJ said it had taken over the iSoNews.com domain, whose owner pleaded guilty to felony copyright crimes under the controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). David Rocci, 22, pleaded guilty in December to using his site to sell "mod" chips that let Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation owners modify their devices so they can use them to play illegally copied games, or "warez." -------------------snip--------------------------- [ Post Comment ] Post Comment