cannabisnews.com: Statehouse Panel To Hear Medical Marijuana Plan Statehouse Panel To Hear Medical Marijuana Plan Posted by CN Staff on March 02, 2004 at 08:08:05 PT By Dave McKinney, Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Source: Chicago Sun-Times Springfield -- An election-year fight over prescribing marijuana for medicinal purposes is brewing at the Statehouse, pitting the White House against AIDS and cancer activists.Today could represent the first test of state legislation sponsored by Rep. Larry McKeon (D-Chicago) to allow anyone diagnosed with a debilitating illness to possess six marijuana plants and an ounce of usable marijuana without fear of prosecution. Under the legislation, users would have to be enrolled with the state Department of Human Services, which would issue registry cards.The initiative, which is before a House panel today, would build upon a 1978 state law that permits doctors to dispense marijuana for glaucoma and cancer patients and for "such other procedures certified to be medically necessary.""It clearly is effective for relief of nausea, vomiting and appetite loss in some patients whether the result of the illness or the common side effects of cancer therapy or AIDS medications," said Bruce Mirken, spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, a Washington, D.C., group pushing similar legislation in five other states.Critics, however, contend there are numerous other drugs that help ease symptoms of cancer or AIDS therapy and that allowing legalization of the drug for medical purposes would accelerate the spread of illegal drugs to teens and others.Opponents expected today in Springfield include Dr. Andrea Barthwell, deputy director of the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Illinois Sheriffs Association and Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems."Our concern is if marijuana is perceived as a medicine, youth will no longer see any harm to this drug," said Anita Bedell, Illinois Church Action's executive director. "This isn't something the Legislature should wade into."The matter, House Bill 4868, is expected to be heard in the House Health Care Availability and Access Committee. The legislation can be viewed on the General Assembly's Web site: http://www.legis.state.il.us/Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)Author: Dave McKinney, Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Published: March 2, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Sun-Times Co.Contact: letters suntimes.comWebsite: http://www.suntimes.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:MPPhttp://www.mpp.org/IDEAL Reformhttp://www.idealreform.org/Nothing Criminal in Healing Herbs http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18416.shtmlMedical Marijuana and Its Witless Enemieshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18415.shtmlMarijuana By Prescription Only http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18412.shtmlMarijuana is Not Medicinehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18366.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by ekim on March 02, 2004 at 19:07:52 PT Now its just Dennis and John Thank you Paul for all you have done for the people. Anyone reading here for not to long know full well who revitalized the med issue of Cannabis in IL.Has anyone heard how this is going. Fom have you any info on the deck that was talked about. I would like to know if it is still in the works and I said that I would send 100 bucks. I wonder if I could pick one of the cards and have direct input in to what goes on that card. If we help the NV people with a deck of Hemp History and every body that comes in to Vegas gets to leave with this Deck man it would help educate many. Every aspect of the plants history will be told and the first Movie made from a Deck a Lies will be made.If no one has Clamed Jack and the Emperor in a very humble voice can I name him, Jack of Hearts. And list the Lie that the Lawmakers said about the Medical Associations view on Cannabis as the Association had never heard of the scourge Marijuana and never connected Marijuana with Cannabis. http://www.mmdetroit.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on March 02, 2004 at 17:10:29 PT Edwards is Getting Out of The Race It's time. He'll probably be asked to be the VP but maybe not. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by The GCW on March 02, 2004 at 12:30:30 PT Sam Adams, When Kerry (or Kucinich) wins, they will get rid of Barfwell and a whole slew of bad ju ju.Like gettin' rid of cock roaches.(Sorry, cock roaches...) [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 02, 2004 at 12:12:00 PT Key Vote Today On Medical Marijuana Bill Key Vote Today On Medical Marijuana Bill (AUDIO inside) Tuesday, March 02, 2004By Steve Grzanich, WBBM Newsradio 780(Chicago) -- Illinois lawmakers take a key vote today on a bill that would legalize marijuana for medical use. The House Healthcare Availability and Access Committee will hear testimony then decide whether to advance the measure to the full General Assembly. LISTEN HERE: http://www.wbbm780.com/mp3/medmarijuana32.mp3Jim Pickett of Chicago smoked marijuana daily for two years to combat side effects of AIDS medications.Pickett says people – very sick people – should not be called criminals for using a substance that helps keep them alive. Medical marijuana is legal in ten states. Illinois is among a handful of additional states where debate on similar legislation is under way. The medical Marijuana Bill on the table in Springfield was introduced by state representative Larry Mckeon of Chicago – an openly gay legislator -- and has won the endorsement of the both the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune. http://www.medicalmarijuana.org/ & http://www.norml.org/Stay tuned to WBBM Newsradio 780 for the latest developments on this and other stories. http://www.wbbm780.com/asp/ViewMoreDetails.asp?ID=34981 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by mamawillie on March 02, 2004 at 09:36:26 PT I agree EJohnson... I was wondering about the 6 plants-- doesn't say 6 females.. in my last crop, I got 8/9 males.I guess like you say, we need to get it passed first, then work out the details later... [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on March 02, 2004 at 08:33:22 PT If Kerry wins... will he get rid of Barfwell (formerly Dr. Grub)? God I hope so. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on March 02, 2004 at 08:29:12 PT I'm confused What do they do when they harvest their legal six plants and get an illegal six ounces of pot?Oh well I guess sorting out the quantitative details will take time. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment