cannabisnews.com: Ehrlich Lowers Fine for Medical Marijuana Users 










  Ehrlich Lowers Fine for Medical Marijuana Users 

Posted by CN Staff on May 22, 2003 at 12:54:03 PT
By Lori Montgomery and Craig Whitlock 
Source: Washington Post  

Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. today signed a bill to dramatically reduce penalties for cancer patients and others who smoke marijuana to relieve suffering, despite fierce lobbying from the White House and many of his conservative supporters.The measure would set a fine of $100 for using marijuana out of "medical necessity." Possession otherwise carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Supporters of the legislation say marijuana offers relief from pain and nausea to people sickened by cancer, AIDS and other illnesses or by medical treatments such as chemotherapy.Under the new law, Maryland becomes the first state to single out seriously ill marijuana users for relaxed sanctions, although other states have done more to decriminalize medical marijuana. In recent years, eight states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes. Most of those actions have come through ballot referendums, and Ehrlich noted today that he is only the second governor in the country -- and the first Republican -- to sign such a bill. The other was a Democratic governor in Hawaii.A medical marijuana initiative also won approval from District voters but has been blocked by Congress. In addition, 21 states, including Virginia, have approved largely symbolic laws or resolutions recognizing marijuana's medical value. Ehrlich, who as a Baltimore County congressman sponsored legislation that would have freed states to make their own decisions on the issue, was urged to veto the bill by the White House's drug policy chief John P. Walters.Source: Washington Post (DC)Author: Lori Montgomery and Craig Whitlock, Washington Post Staff WritersPublished: Friday, May 23, 2003Copyright: 2003 Washington Post Contact: letterstoed washpost.comWebsite: http://www.washingtonpost.com Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmIs Marijuana Medicine? http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16263.shtmlDecision To Smoke Pot Shouldn't Involve Doctorhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16262.shtmlStanding Up To Bullies http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15893.shtmlDrug Czar Calls Marijuana Bill Immoralhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15791.shtml 

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Comment #18 posted by FoM on May 24, 2003 at 23:45:23 PT
Thanks Swampie
If we have to go up North I'll let you know but I sure hope we don't. It's a long trip and he often has to fast which makes it worse. I hope you have a nice Memorial Day weekend. This isn't a good time for me but I'm ok. My son died on Memorial Day so I'll be happy just to get the holiday over and do more news. Best therapy in the world for me! 
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Comment #17 posted by SWAMPIE on May 24, 2003 at 23:22:45 PT
Slow,but sure.....
We got moved,and are survivors.....we are north of you,and if it works to stop by,you have friends here,we would love to meet you!Hopefully you won't have to come up though!!!! If you do,let me know when,and we can make plans if it will work for all.Have a happy Memorial Day,and we shall think of all of the c-newsers,past and present when we honor those who we lived and loved!A toast in your honor,my dear......... Peace
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on May 24, 2003 at 23:03:13 PT

Swampie
I can't answer that. I don't know anyone that has been charged with a marijuana offense. I check out our once a week paper and it isn't often that anything but hard drugs are mentioned in the police log. You live up high on I-77. The only time we go up north is to the VA hospital and luckily he hasn't had any reason to need any more tests. Hope you're doing ok.
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Comment #15 posted by SWAMPIE on May 24, 2003 at 22:50:07 PT

why is it......??????
 That they never say in these articles that it is mandatory for states to receive federal highway funds;that if you are charged and convicted of a cannabis-related offence,that your drivers license is suspended for 6 months? I find alot of things that are never spoken about,and it makes me angry, As an aside,I live near I-77 at massilon rd and welcome anyone coming near here to stop and say high!
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on May 24, 2003 at 20:24:59 PT

afterburner
You passed our exit. We live down on I-77. A short distance from I-70. Get rested up and we'll talk to you when you are. Vacations are really tiring. You need a vacation to rest up from a vacation! LOL! If I had known I would have wanted to meet you. So close. Just a few miles.
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Comment #13 posted by afterburner on May 24, 2003 at 20:20:25 PT:

FoM- It's Good to Be Back
And it was good to stretch back into history too. If you live near Ohio I-80 or Ohio I-77, I may have gone past your exit. I was away from the computer during the trip, so I have a lot of articles to catch-up on; tomorrow, I'm too tired today. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Chinese proverb."Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and equality... we hold these truths to be self-evident."ego transcendence follows ego destruction, heart by heart, state by state, vote by vote, until there is no problem.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on May 24, 2003 at 19:28:28 PT

afterburner
It's good to see you. I was wondering if everything was ok but I don't usually say anything but just keep wondering. You were down in the states. You might have even passed right by an exit to our home if you drove down to Virginia. Did you go thru my state? Isn't the Beltway something? I drove on that more times that I want to remember and that was many years ago. Haven't been to that area for I bet 20 years or more. Glad you are back in a much kinder and gentlier country. 
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Comment #11 posted by afterburner on May 24, 2003 at 18:04:40 PT:

My Prayer Is Answered
On May 17 I passed through Maryland on my way to Williamburg, Virginia, "the birthplace of the idea of America," and Jameston, Virginia, the site of the first permanent English settlement. I said a prayer encouraging Governor Erlich to sign the modest medical cannabis bill. Driving down the Beltway in Washington, D.C., I could sense the threat even such a tiny step would be to the federal bureaucrats and their rabid prohibition. It was refreshing to walk in the footsteps of our founding fathers, like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, both reported to have grown hemp. To breathe the air they breathed, to celebrate the thoughts that led to our Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.I am back in Grandmother's Land, north of the Medicine Line. I am pleased to read that Governor Erlich did sign the bill into law, and I am eagerly awaiting another small step on Tuesday here in Canada.Have a great Memorial Day!
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Comment #10 posted by medicinal toker on May 22, 2003 at 17:40:23 PT

A good baby step for patient protection
But it sends a nice message when Gov. Ehrlich, a friend of the Bush's, has the integrity to sign the bill. Next, a bill that provides real protection and a source of supply is needed. This is more of a P.R. win than anything, but in these dark days we'll take anything!
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Comment #9 posted by The GCW on May 22, 2003 at 15:30:16 PT

Joy
Although House Bill 702, doesn’t end the immoral practice of caging humans for using the plant cannabis medically, it will affordably, add some measure of credibility to the present immoral laws and is supported by the majority.With any conscience or compassion, Governor Ehrlich had no choice but to sign House Bill 702.Consider sending letters to Democrats indicating if they snooze they lose even more by not getting hip on this cannabis issue, for the Repubs. will soon realize it is a vote getter.

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Comment #8 posted by FoM on May 22, 2003 at 15:13:16 PT

VitaminT and Jose
Thank you!
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Comment #7 posted by VitaminT on May 22, 2003 at 14:59:14 PT

I gave him guarded praise and a BIG thanks from TX
Go here: http://www.gov.state.md.us/#Mouseover: "Governor" barClick: Contact Governor.I wish they'd just post an email address! Oh well.
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Comment #6 posted by malleus2 on May 22, 2003 at 14:45:50 PT

Looks like someone else got tired of
of dear Joyce Nalepka's diatribes, too. She lives in Meh-ree-land (as people from outside the state call it; natives say 'Mehr-lind') and has in the past been able to bamboozle and cow soft-headed or opportunistic Guv-nuhs. But not this time.How does it taste, Joycie? Would you like some ketchup for your crow?
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Comment #5 posted by Jose Melendez on May 22, 2003 at 14:21:14 PT

thank Gov. Robert L. Erlich, Jr.
http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/
Email Gov. Erlich
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on May 22, 2003 at 13:25:17 PT

Related News Article from WBAL Channel
Ehrlich Signs Medical Marijuana Bill Into LawBush Administration Opposes Bill; Ehrlich Signs ItMay 22, 2003Baltimore -- Gov. Robert Ehrlich's decision to sign a medical marijuana bill strongly opposed by the Bush administration will help many patients end their suffering, supporters said Thursday. "These are people who are suffering. They're dying. It will help those people," said Delegate Dan Morhaim, D-Baltimore County, a sponsor of the bill and an emergency room doctor at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. Despite opposition from some Republicans, Ehrlich had indicated support for the bill early on because of his belief that people can differentiate between legalizing the drug and allowing those dying of chronic illnesses to alleviate their pain. 
"This is a position I've had for many, many years," Ehrlich said at Thursday's signing ceremony. "It is not without controversy. It's not without controversy across parties, across chambers, across states, across the country." Ehrlich, however, said he didn't think signing the bill would damage his relationship with the White House. "Certainly we received a lot of pressure from the administration," the first-term governor said. "This is an issue I have dealt with for a decade. My views are well-known." The law does not legalize marijuana, but reduces the penalty to a maximum $100 fine with no jail time. Defendants, however, must convince a judge they need marijuana for medical reasons. Previously, possession or use of marijuana brought penalties of up to a year in prison or a $1,000 fine. Nine states now have medical marijuana laws including Maryland, Hawaii, Oregon, Alaska and California. Backers of the legislation say smoking marijuana can ease the symptoms of serious illnesses such as cancer, HIV or AIDS, multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease, and help patients suffering from nausea hold down food and medications. Opponents, including White House drug czar John P. Walters, have been pressuring Ehrlich to veto the measure, which they say offers a false and illegal remedy to the sick. "Research has not demonstrated that smoked marijuana is safe and effective medicine," Walters said in a statement issued before the governor signed the bill. "Legalizing smoked marijuana under the guise of medicine is scientifically irresponsible and contradictory to our high standards for approval of medications." Joe McGeeney, Elks State Drug Awareness chairman for Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia, said he was disappointed in the governor's decision to sign the bill and vowed to help repeal it. "It's sending the wrong message to our kids that it's OK to use because there is medicinal powers," he said. "Other states that have approved (similar bills) have seen a sharp increase in the youth smoking marijuana." http://www.thewbalchannel.com/health/2222819/detail.html

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Comment #3 posted by FoM on May 22, 2003 at 13:13:17 PT

VitaminT
Could you post Governor Ehrlich's email address so some of us too can contact him and say thank you?
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Comment #2 posted by VitaminT on May 22, 2003 at 13:11:04 PT

D.C. is surrounded!
I'm writing to the Gov. to say thanks!
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 22, 2003 at 12:59:11 PT

This Really Is Good News
This is happening in Maryland! It is so important because of where this happened. I'm very happy that the Governor stood against all those who tried to stop him.
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