cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Bill Advances in House





Medical Marijuana Bill Advances in House
Posted by CN Staff on March 13, 2003 at 13:06:39 PT
By John Biemer, The Associated Press
Source: Baltimore Sun 
A measure to drastically reduce sentences for people caught smoking marijuana for medical purposes survived attempts to gut it through amendments today in Maryland's House of Delegates.Under the proposal, a $100 fine would be the maximum penalty someone could face if they use or possess marijuana because of a medical necessity. There would be no possibility of prison time. A vote on the bill could come early next week.
Opponents of the bill attempted to alter it or change its effect entirely during debate Wednesday on the House floor. Del. James Malone, a Baltimore County Democrat, tried to have the bill amended so that it would not go into effect until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined that marijuana is a suitable treatment for those suffering from chronic disease.Because federal penalties for marijuana possession could lead to significant prison time, Malone said, "we're leading people with this bill into a false sense of security that if they smoke marijuana the maximum penalty is $100."Del. Joseph Vallario, a Prince George's County Democrat, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, replied that federal authorities rarely pursue marijuana cases, and such an amendment would effectively kill the bill. The amendment was voted down 81-51.In Vallario's committee, the bill -- which had 56 co-sponsors in the House -- has already undergone a radical revision. The original proposal would have allowed patients with debilitating medical conditions such as cancer to obtain cards from state medical officials certifying that they are using marijuana for health reasons.That version also would have allowed qualified patients to grow seven marijuana plants and possess one usable ounce of marijuana per mature plant without facing the threat of criminal charges.Since 1970, marijuana has been a controlled dangerous substance under state and federal drug prohibitions. Simple possession or use of marijuana can bring penalties of up to a year in prison or a $1,000 fine.The Judiciary Committee made alterations to the bill to avoid a conflict with federal laws."We're going to set a penalty that isn't particularly high, but it is a penalty and it is a crime," said Delegate Neil Quinter, D-Howard, a member of the committee.A measure that matched the House bill in its current posture passed through the chamber last year, but was stymied in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. That committee, which gained a more liberal chairman after last fall's election, plans to fashion the bill it's considering after the one awaiting a vote on the House floor.There seems to be growing bipartisan support in Annapolis for some kind of modification to the marijuana laws for those who use the drug for medical purposes. Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich supports the legalization of medical marijuana.Supporters believe smoking marijuana can ease symptoms of those suffering from chronic diseases such as HIV or AIDS, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma or Crohn's disease. They also say it can relieve severe nausea that causes patients undergoing treatment for cancer to have trouble keeping down pills and food. Note: Measure eliminates possibility of prison time, sets maximum $100 fine for its use or possession due to health necessity. Copyright: 2003 The Associated Press Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)Author: John Biemer, The Associated PressPublished: February 27, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Baltimore SunContact: letters baltsun.comWebsite: http://www.sunspot.net/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmMedical Marijuana Bill Gains Momentumhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15586.shtmlResidents Speak Out for Medicinal Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15584.shtmlMedical Marijuana Gets Nod of Ehrlich http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15216.shtml 
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Comment #2 posted by afterburner on March 13, 2003 at 14:00:08 PT:
False Sense of Security Better than No Security.
Because federal penalties for marijuana possession could lead to significant prison time, Malone said, "we're leading people with this bill into a false sense of security that if they smoke marijuana the maximum penalty is $100."Duck, hide under a rock! The sky is falling! In other words, the DEAth's highly-successful persecution of California's Compassionate Use Act, Prop. 215, is having the intended fallout. Stand up to the bullies. The Schedule One Lie was based on racism, pseudo-science, and inertia of accumulated propaganda. The FDA is complicit in an immoral, un-Constitutional, and unscientific denial of historical medicine to US citizens.Nixon the narc 
by Dana Larsen (12 Sept, 2002) Tricky Dick's evil legacy lives on in the modern drug war. http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2500.html"It really puzzles me to see marijuana connected with narcotics... dope and all that crap... it's a thousand times better than whiskey - it's an assistant - a friend."
- Louis Armstrong - ego destruction or ego transcendence, that is the question.
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Comment #1 posted by Virgil on March 13, 2003 at 13:20:23 PT
Where are the Libertarians?
Isn't there on libertarian in a state legislature somewhere and aren't they for legalization? It is time someone showed some guts as if it really is guts that is called for instead of good sense, and call for the elimination of all state laws against cannabis.Are we to take it that a lie is the reason for locking people up, building a police state with thefts of citizens property, and corrupt our courts, media, UN, Congress, and anything else that can be corrupted, confused, or twisted because of big, incessent lie- "marijuana is a dangerous drug." It takes an idiot to say and some blend of ignorance and stupidity to accept it.How doe the circus continue? I just don't get it. People are a lot more stupid than I ever thought when I was younger, but I had no idea people would by such a big lie when it is the basis for so much that is wrong and wicked in this country.
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