cannabisnews.com: Maryland Governor Gets Medical Marijuana Bill










  Maryland Governor Gets Medical Marijuana Bill

Posted by CN Staff on March 26, 2003 at 15:06:06 PT
By Maria Tsigas 
Source: FoxNews.com 

Annapolis — A medical marijuana bill that would minimize penalties for chronically ill patients caught using the illegal drug has made it to the governor for the first time in four attempts.The Maryland Senate passed a medical marijuana bill Wednesday, exactly a week after the House approved an identical bill, and now, the only hurdle left is for Gov. Robert Ehrlich to sign it into law.
The governor has not taken a position on the bill, but he supports the concept, said his spokesperson Henry Fawell.The hour-long debate before the vote had proponents focusing on compassion, while opponents argued the bill was merely "foot-in-the-door legislation" that would lead to the legalization of marijuana.The bill passed on a 29-17 nonpartisan vote, with eight Democrats and nine Republicans voting against it."This issue cuts across all of our aisles and ideologies ... and geographies," said Republican state Sen. David Brinkley, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, a type of lymphoma, in 1989 and is in remission.The bill that passed was very different from the original bill, which called for the Board of Physician Quality Assurance to oversee a program to issue identification cards to patients who used marijuana for medical purposes.Now, the bill provides an opportunity for a defendant in possession of marijuana to introduce evidence that the drug was "of medical necessity." If the defense is successful, the defendant would only face a maximum $100 fine.Democratic Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. voted against the bill to show his support for the original bill, which he called "a very well-thought-out bill, a great bill," while the amended version is "a lesser bill," he said.During the debate, supporters argued that marijuana provides relief for cancer patients on chemotherapy braving symptoms such as nausea and loss of appetite. It also helps those suffering from illnesses such as AIDS, multiple sclerosis, or Crohn's disease.Patients suffering from cancer or AIDS at the end of their lives sometimes suffer "long, slow agonizing deaths. Dying is worse than the death sometimes," said Democratic Sen. Delores Kelley of Baltimore.The most compelling testimony came from Democratic Sen. Nathaniel Exum, who recounted the battle his 25-year-old daughter waged with cancer. It ultimately claimed her life.Her treatments left her so nauseated she was unable to eat. Exum said if marijuana could have helped her at the time, he would have gotten it for his daughter."I urge you to have compassion. You never know when you might be in the same position," he said, silencing the opposition.However, opponents, such as Minority Leader Lowell Stoltzfus, had already argued that the bill is "a guise to begin legalizing marijuana.""There is nothing about compassion regarding the step we're taking — legalizing a dangerous drug," said Republican Sen. Larry Haines. "The Legislature is wrong in taking this position."It isn't right to claim that certain things are absolutely illegal, and then make exceptions that permit them under certain circumstances — it creates a "bifurcated system of justice," said Democratic Sen. John Astle.Under federal law, any use of marijuana is illegal and the Food and Drug Administration has not approved marijuana use for any medical condition."If we do have a war on drugs, can we please remove the sick and wounded from the battlefield?" said Bruce Mirken, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project, a marijuana policy reform organization in the District.Approval, Mirken said, represents "a historic day and a positive step" and it is especially vindicating that Maryland is about to pass this type of legislation right in the "backyard of the White House."Source: FoxNews.comAuthor: Maria TsigasPublished: Wednesday, March 26, 2003Copyright: Fox News Network, LLC 2003Website: http://www.foxnews.com/Contact: foxnewsonline foxnews.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Senate OKs Medical Marijuana Bill http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15799.shtmlMoney Talks in Drug Bill Tusslehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15796.shtmlHouse Approves Medical Marijuana Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15751.shtml 

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Comment #13 posted by FoM on March 26, 2003 at 18:32:51 PT

Information About Dr. Mollie Fry
Hi Everyone,It dawned on me that people who are new to CNews might not know about what happened. I found an article and a picture for you to check out. I find that it is easier to care when we know a little about someone. Here are the links.Picture of Dr. Mollie Fry: http://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/drugpolicy/media/3/3087.jpgDEA Seize Files on Medical Marijuana Patients: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11023.shtml
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Comment #12 posted by mayan on March 26, 2003 at 18:23:54 PT

BOO-HOO!
However, opponents, such as Minority Leader Lowell Stoltzfus, had already argued that the bill is "a guise to begin legalizing marijuana.""There is nothing about compassion regarding the step we're taking — legalizing a dangerous drug," said Republican Sen. Larry Haines. "The Legislature is wrong in taking this position."It isn't right to claim that certain things are absolutely illegal, and then make exceptions that permit them under certain circumstances — it creates a "bifurcated system of justice," said Democratic Sen. John Astle.Listen to the poor antis cry. Oh, BOO-HOO! Such a sweet sound it is!!! Let's hope that Gov. Ehrlich listens to the 80% of Americans who support medical marijuana!The time is now, again...Anti-war protests continue: 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/antiwar/story/0,12809,922423,00.htmlSIX DAYS OF SHAME:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.cfm?objectid=12776744&method=full&siteid=50143'Just like Apocalypse Now':
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/waroniraq/articles/4013829?version=2THE PERFECT STORM - Part II - by Michael C. Ruppert:
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/032503_perfect_storm_2.html9/11 was a hoax: The American government killed its own people - by John Kaminski:
http://onlinejournal.com/Commentary/032403Kaminski/032403kaminski.htmlKaminski's Best 9/11 Sites — 4th Edition:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00024.htm
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on March 26, 2003 at 18:09:27 PT

Important E-Mail News
Feds to Indict Dr. Mollie Fry & Dale Schafer 
    
   El Dorado Co, CA - Dale Schafer reports that the US attorney has called  a "pre-indictment" status conference to discuss his case. Schafer and his wife, Dr. Mollie Fry, were raided by the DEA two weeks after 9/11 while running an El Dorado county cannabis clinic. The DEA confiscated their client records and has been investigating them ever since. It now appears certain that Fry & Schafer will face federal charges.  - D. Gieringer, Cal NORML 3/26/03Dale Gieringer (415) 563-5858 // canorml igc.org
2215-R Market St. #278, San Francisco CA 94114

California NORML
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on March 26, 2003 at 17:12:44 PT

312
You must have missed that I posted it. It was just a short news brief and I usually put them in a comment. Here it is.http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread15797.shtml#1
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Comment #9 posted by 312 on March 26, 2003 at 17:02:19 PT

Please post
Christiania news story from Reutershttp://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=2452185
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on March 26, 2003 at 16:59:14 PT

freedom fighter
I'll try to tell you why I believe people kill. I do believe that there is killing that is moral. If I would be attacked I wouldn't feel guilty if I killed the attacker. ( If I had the nerve)If you see your neighbor being attacked and you know they will be killed if you don't intervene then that is justified in my mind. ( Maybe not legally though )I feel so sorry for everyone who will die in this war.If our country was invaded I believe we would have every right to kill to protect our family, home and land.When we step over those lines then the motives will have to be looked at closely. Some reasons for killing outside of what I think are fair are greed, power and hate to name a few.I hope this helps.
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Comment #7 posted by MikeEEEEE on March 26, 2003 at 16:58:13 PT

Feds
So close to Washington: lets see if the Feds nullify the vote the way they did in Washington, DC.
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Comment #6 posted by i420 on March 26, 2003 at 16:41:57 PT

http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/
Email the Gov'n'r A.S.A.P.http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/ http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/ http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/ http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/ http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/ http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/ http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/ http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/ http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/ 
http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/
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Comment #5 posted by freedom fighter on March 26, 2003 at 16:41:13 PT

Why??
Why do people kill??Why do I have to see my son crying?? My son's friend got killed. Shot in the head.. The stupid Iraq war.. Saw his friend three weeks ago and that was that..All I want to know is Why?ff
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Comment #4 posted by 312 on March 26, 2003 at 15:45:06 PT

Gulf war smoking game
I hope this lifts your spirits a bit during these dark days. Sorry all the line ends are messed up.
312Gulf war smoking game (adapted from Gulf war drinking game)
The Guardian, 26 Mar 03 
Have a smoke when: Bush is called a crusader 
x2 if it's by Saddam Saddam is called evil 
x2 if it's by BushIraqi troops surrender to the media 
x2 if to a unmanned vehicle or inanimate object Iraq uses weapons it claims not to have The United States uses weapons it won't allow Iraq to have Saddam uses a scud he doesn't have France goes pro US invasion Germany takes the side of the US in a global war Dominique de Villepin reminds you of that annoying rich kid in high school Someone implies Tony Blair is Bush's bitch Someone implies Scott Ritter is Saddam's bitch Anybody "warns" anybody The word "escalation" is used Iraq and the US are shown seated next to each other in the United Nations The media compares the war to Blackhawk Down A puppet government is installed in Iraq 
x2 if it's by the puppet government installed in the US Saddam uses the word "Zionist" 
x2 if it's Bin Laden You change your opinion on the war The Saudis do something the US accuses Iraq of doing North Korea does something the United States accused Iraq of doing Al-Jazeera is referred to as the "Arab CNN" 
Finish your joint if CNN is referred to as the "American al-Jazeera" The conflict is compared to the Vietnam war 
x2 if the word "quagmire" is used Saddam goes missing 
Finish your joint if he is confirmed killed The Pope is said to "pray for peace" · Bush mispronounces the word "nuclear" If you can't find Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, or the United Arab Emirates on a map 
x2 if you even own a map of the region 
Finish your joint if you can pronounce them all correctly An actor or actress expresses an opinion on the war 
x2 if this is the first time you've seen them in a year An American reminds the French of the second or first world wars 
x2 if a Frenchman reminds the Americans of the Revolutionary war Someone reports from "the Arab street" Anyone in the Bush administration says "make no mistake" The American military are told what to do by someone with no military experience 
x2 if they dodged the Vietnam draft 
x3 if they dodged the Vietnam draft, are an ex-governer of a southern US state, and ever held or holds the title of Commander-in-chief Tariq Aziz's glasses get larger Somebody says Saddam "tortures his own people" God picks a side 
Finish your joint if its not yours Somebody implies a blood for oil trade may be in progress 
x2 if that person owns a SUV A protest sign attacks Bush directly 
x2 if it attacks Saddam directly Saddam is compared to Hitler 
x2 if Bush is compared to Hitler Someone compares the size of Iraq to California or France The media refers to itself as "embedded" Someone says "shock and awe" The words "weapon(s) of mass destruction" are used 
x2 if its shortened to "WMD" A US official uses the word "liberate" Bush says "innocent civilians" Bush quotes scripture 
x2 if Saddam quotes the Koran Somebody says, "Between Iraq and a hard place" A videophone craps out 
x2 if the anchor apologises for it Someone on TV says something contradictory to what is on their news ticker A news correspondent asks if they can still be heard 
x2 if they say: "Can you hear me now?" Any political or military leader refers to Australia Saddam shoots a gun into the air Saddam refers to George Bush as "little Bush" or "junior Bush" An initial news report turns out to be false 
x2 if the anchor openly admits it Bush directly addresses Iraqis 
x2 if Saddam directly addresses Americans a Saddam body double is seen Someone refers to "coalition of the willing" 
x2 if it is because a member is actually providing combat troops Media cameras on the Baghdad skyline focus on something that looks like an erect penis Someone reminds us that Bin Laden is still alive 
x2 if he reminds us himself The media refuses to report something because of operational security 
x2 if its immediately followed by a commentator telling what will happen next The military learns of something for the first time from the media Someone uses the term "cradle of civilisation" Ari Fleischer [Whitehouse spokesman] lies Anybody says something about exercising a right to protest 
x2 if it's added that it's what the troops are fighting for On the Baghdad cam, a car runs a red light 
x2 if it stops 
x3 if it's during a bombing Any coalition representative mentions securing oil fields 
x2 if immediatly followed by "for the benefit of the Iraqi people" This game is mentioned in the news 
x2 if the Bush twins are playing it This is an edited version printed with permission from www.gulfwardrinkinggame.com 
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Comment #3 posted by 312 on March 26, 2003 at 15:30:53 PT

Small news article
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n447/a02.html
Newshawk: www.ccguide.org.uk
Pubdate: Mon, 24 Mar 2003
Source: Evening News (UK)
Copyright: 2003 Archant Regional
Contact: EveningNewsLetters archant.co.uk
Website: http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/141
Cited: Howard Marks http://www.mrnice.co.ukCANNABIS AWARENESS DOPE legend Howard Marks was in Norwich as part of a campaign to legalise cannabis. Mr Marks, a convicted drug dealer who famously wrote about his smuggling activities in his book Mr Nice, was part of a four-man panel fielding questions from the public yesterday at Cannabis Hemp Awareness Day at UEA. Also present at the event was fellow campaigner and comedian Billy McCann. There were stalls selling hemp goods and cannabis paraphernalia. Under 18's were not admitted. 

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Comment #2 posted by Virgil on March 26, 2003 at 15:30:09 PT

Off with their seats
17 people voted against improvement, which is extremely lacking any sense. If the Governor wants to end his political career, he will fail a bigf litmus test in voting against this. Vetoes are not all that popular on things that wind through the bureaucracy to end up on his desk. It sure would not help to reverse course on his thoughts either, as once you arrive to the conclusion that cannabis has medical value, there isn't reasoning to see it differently.The difference between cannabist and politicians is that cannabist inhale while politicians suck. I hope voters make a list of these 17 that did not take one step back in their no bend policy and send them home as an example to stupidity in public servants. Off with their seats.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 26, 2003 at 15:08:56 PT

Just a Comment
Let's see what this new Governor is made of. He said he was for Medical Marijuana and soon we will see! Please stand up for patients rights!
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