cannabisnews.com: Physicians Testify in Support of MMJ Legislation





Physicians Testify in Support of MMJ Legislation
Posted by CN Staff on March 01, 2004 at 22:26:50 PT
By Paul Hughes, Record-Journal Staff
Source: Record-Journal
Hartford — State lawmakers opposed to the medicinal use of marijuana heard something from the other side for the first time Monday — supportive testimony from practicing physicians.Anesthesiologist David Simon testified before the Judiciary Committee in support of legislation that would make it easier for the seriously ill to use marijuana for medical reasons.
It was the first time that supporters of the medical use of marijuana presented testimony from a practicing Connecticut physician in the four years they have been working to change state law.A bill to allow a medical use exception to the state's marijuana prohibition fell 15 votes shy of passing the House last session.It remains to be seen if the testimony presented Monday will dispel suspicions this year that advocates of legalizing marijuana are pushing for a medical use exception as a first step. Opponents of medical marijuana use argued in the House last year that the other side presented no expert medical testimony. It was that argument that partly convinced Simon to appear before the Judiciary Committee this year.Simon told a news conference Monday morning that he was deeply troubled by the comments that opponents made in last year's House debate. The Mansfield physician made the same statement to the Judiciary Committee in the afternoon.Simon made a point Monday of telling the committee members that some doctors do support the medicinal use of marijuana despite the opposition's statements to the contrary last year.Simon and two other practicing physicians testified Monday about the medical benefits of marijuana for some patients. In addition, supporters provided a list of more than 300 Connecticut doctors who shared that view, including 11 from Meriden, Wallingford, Southington and Cheshire.The legislation before the Judiciary Committee Monday would basically allow the seriously ill to present a defense of medical necessity in the event of arrest and prosecution on state marijuana charges.The bill would allow certain seriously ill patients to grow and use marijuana. The bill restricts the number of plants to five, and it requires a marijuana-using patient obtain a doctor's certificate.The legislation would not automatically guarantee a patient holding a doctor's certificate to escape arrest, prosecution or conviction. It would leave the decision to arrest, prosecute or convict to the discretion of police, state's attorneys, judges and juries, as the case may be."This bill is not about legalization. It is about removing the threat of state prosecution," Rep. Penny Bacchiochi, R-Somers, told the Judiciary Committee.Bacchiochi, one of the bill's two chief sponsors, recalled how smoking marijuana helped her late husband during his struggle with terminal bone cancer 22 years ago, and the debilitating nausea caused by chemotherapy."I have personally witnessed the devastating effect of terminal disease, and the wasting away of life. I can testify to you under oath before this committee or in any court that medical marijuana does work. It works for people who have tried every other drug without success," Bacchiochi said.She recalled how her family obtained marijuana for her late husband at great legal risk. She argued that Connecticut should remove the criminal penalties for the seriously ill for growing, possessing or using marijuana.Bacchiochi said the legislation sets specific conditions and restrictions for patients, caregivers and doctors regarding marijuana use.Rep. James W. Abrams, D-Meriden, has been trying to pass legislation to make it easier for the seriously ill to use marijuana for the last four years. He and Bacchiochi teamed up last session.Abrams, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said there might be enough votes to pass a bill in the House this session. He said advocates are targeting 25 House members, though they only need a swing of eight votes.Abrams was not prepared to gauge support in the Senate.However, Abrams and supporters of last year's bill had to do some finagling to get the legislation out of the Judiciary Committee, as well as the Public Health Committee. It is unclear if this year's legislation will get out of either committee."I think in a short session a bill this controversial and this complicated is going to have a tough road ahead of it," said Sen. Christopher S. Murphy, D-Southington, Senate chairman of the Public Health Committee, and Senate vice chairman of the Public Health Committee.Murphy supported last year's bill, and he said he still favors the medical use of marijuana under limited circumstances.Complete Title: Physicians Testify in Support of Marijuana LegislationSource: Meriden Record-Journal, The (CT)Author: Paul Hughes, Record-Journal StaffPublished: March 02, 2004Copyright: 2004, The Record-Journal Publishing Co.Contact: letters record-journal.comWebsite: http://www.record-journal.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmMarijuana Bill Surprises Some With Support http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16253.shtmlMedicinal Marijuana Bill Heading For Househttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15805.shtmlProposal To Let Doctors Recommend Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15407.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on March 15, 2004 at 11:07:41 PT
Related News Brief from The Associated Press
Medical Marijuana Bill Clears Legislative Committee Hartford-AP, March 15, 2004 A bill that would allow seriously ill people to grow marijuana for medical purposes has moved one step closer to law.The Legislature's Judiciary Committee approved the bill this afternoon by a vote of 24-to-15.Under the measure, doctors can certify that patients, who suffer from cancer, glaucoma or another type of painful debilitating disease, would benefit from the marijuana.The patient or a caregiver would then be allowed to grow up to five plants for personal use and use the doctor's written certificate as a legal defense for having the illegal substance. The certificate also would afford the doctor legal protection from federal prosecution.The bill will likely head to the Pubic Health committee for a review there.
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Comment #1 posted by afterburner on March 02, 2004 at 06:17:53 PT:
Culture War ''Trumps?'' Medicine
The Compassion View:Bacchiochi, one of the bill's two chief sponsors, recalled how smoking marijuana helped her late husband during his struggle with terminal bone cancer 22 years ago, and the debilitating nausea caused by chemotherapy."I have personally witnessed the devastating effect of terminal disease, and the wasting away of life. I can testify to you under oath before this committee or in any court that medical marijuana does work. It works for people who have tried every other drug without success," Bacchiochi said.She recalled how her family obtained marijuana for her late husband at great legal risk. She argued that Connecticut should remove the criminal penalties for the seriously ill for growing, possessing or using marijuana.The Tough on Crime View:It remains to be seen if the testimony presented Monday will dispel suspicions this year that advocates of legalizing marijuana are pushing for a medical use exception as a first step. In the words of a wise compassionate elder: "Let's get the sick and dying off the battlefield!"I pray that reason and compassion may encourage Connecticut to join those brave states who place the welfare of their citizens above the hegemony of federal arrogance.
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