cannabisnews.com: Advocates Want Medicinal Pot On The State Agenda





Advocates Want Medicinal Pot On The State Agenda
Posted by CN Staff on December 08, 2004 at 08:20:02 PT
By Bernell Dorrough
Source: Columbia Missourian
Advocates of marijuana reform are hoping to follow up their success in Columbia with a statewide law to protect medicinal users of the drug. But while local residents overwhelmingly supported medical marijuana at the ballot box, taking the law statewide will be difficult. “It will be an uphill fight, but it’s possible,” said Dan Viets, a board member of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. “We clearly had a lot of support for Proposition 1 from Republican voters, and there are many Republicans — I’m sure — in the legislature who recognize the importance of marijuana as a medicine.”
Nearly 70 percent of local voters approved a ballot measure Nov. 2 that protects users of marijuana from city prosecution if they have written permission from a doctor. However, they still can be prosecuted by the state.Eleven other states already have passed laws that allow marijuana use for medicinal purposes. The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard a case that will determine whether patients in those states can face federal prosecution for using marijuana.If the Supreme Court rules against the states, Viets said, the Missouri medical marijuana movement likely will join an effort to pass a nationwide bill in Congress. For now, though, Viets said lawmakers in both houses of the Missouri General Assembly are considering a bill for a statewide medical marijuana law. Sen. Rita Days, D-St. Louis, said she might file a bill, following the work of her colleague, the late Sen. Ronnie DePasco of Kansas City. DePasco began advocating medicinal marijuana after seeing the pain of other cancer patients during his own ordeal with lung cancer.“I have not decided whether I will present a bill, but I do think it’s worth looking into,” Days said. While some Republican voters in Columbia may support legalizing the medicinal use of marijuana, the party as a whole will not support such legislation, said Paul Sloca, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party.“Marijuana is still an illegal drug, so we would be opposed as a party to such a measure,” Sloca said. Even if advocates can overcome opposition to medical marijuana, the authority of a statewide law would depend on how the Supreme Court rules. Krissy Oechslin, assistant director of communications for the nationwide Marijuana Policy Project, said a decision for the federal government would not completely undermine state efforts. If the Supreme Court sides with the federal government, the decision simply will maintain the status quo, Oechslin said.However, Viets said that if the court decides against the states, he fears the federal government will increase prosecutions of those who grow and distribute marijuana for medical users, further undermining the state laws.“For the time being, the federal government has been somewhat restrained,” Viets said. “I think they recognize it’s not clear whether they have that authority or not. I think if the Supreme Court gives them a green light, then we can expect probably greater persecution and prosecution.” Source: Columbia Missourian (MO)Author: Bernell DorroughPublished: December 8, 2004 Copyright: 2004 Columbia MissourianContact: editor digmo.com Website: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Marijuana Measures Pass Handily http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19765.shtmlBoth Pot Propositions Pass by a Large Marginhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19763.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by Hope on December 08, 2004 at 22:56:11 PT
The GCW
I have no doubt that you are getting lots of good guidance. I have never, that I recall, got a letter printed with scripture in it and I've written a lot of them. It's happened with your letters so many times I can't remember. I love them...and you, too! Way to go man!No doubt in my mind you are blessed as one of God's scribes.I know suffering and grief has formed a lot of what you are...but what a light you and your words are. I thank God for you.
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Comment #4 posted by The GCW on December 08, 2004 at 18:52:51 PT
FoM,
Thank You.That's not just Me; I haven't been writing these alone.The spirit of truth is growing in Me and is doing more than half the work... if not all the work... I do some.Thank Christ God Our Father and the spirit of truth, also. Much of what You read is Christ God Our Father and the spirit of truth speaking. Much of what is said is derived from Here and There… Thank You too. You are sweet. Reading what people say here at CNEWS, helps produce bulls-eyes.Editors are also helpful.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on December 08, 2004 at 16:40:04 PT
Yoo Hoo The GCW
Keep up the great LTEs.
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Comment #2 posted by The GCW on December 08, 2004 at 16:36:37 PT
Go Missouri.
Every state in recent memory, that’s seen an initiative allowing medical use of cannabis, passed it, batting a thousand.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 08, 2004 at 09:16:11 PT
Take Two: Stop Ohio's Drugged Driving Bill
December 8, 2004The Drug Policy Alliance has worked hard on behalf of Ohioans throughout the 2003-2004 state legislative session to prevent passage of drugged-driving legislation in the state. We were successful in knocking the bill off of the State Senate’s hearing agenda in Spring 2004.A new version of SB 215, which would prohibit a motorist from driving with a barely detectable amount of a drug in their system, is now before the State Senate and may be voted on as early as today. The Alliance’s representative in Ohio is currently working to inform members of the news media and State Senate about the bill in hopes of striking it down.Ohio’s drugged-driving bill is bad for several reasons. Current tests can only detect the presence of drugs in someone's system – not the amount or how long ago the drugs were used.This unfair per se limit legislation could also target medical-marijuana patients, people who attended a concert and were in close proximity to people who smoked marijuana, or people who eat poppy-seed bagels – each of which could trigger a positive drug test.Another area of concern with SB 215 is the question of where Ohio will find the money to pay for roadside and other drug testing, since this costly new program is likely to increase by millions of dollars the existing $2 billion state budget deficit.Ohio residents, please send a free fax to your State Senator urging them to vote against SB 215.Fax: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=23363http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/12_08_04ohio.cfm
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