cannabisnews.com: Driving High at Issue with Marijuana Law










  Driving High at Issue with Marijuana Law

Posted by CN Staff on January 21, 2009 at 08:31:58 PT
By The Associated Press  
Source: Associated Press 

Montana -- A state lawmaker said Tuesday that medical patients who are registered to use marijuana should be stripped of the privilege if they are caught driving high.Sen. Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell, said drivers become impaired after taking marijuana, and he wants to create a harsh penalty to make sure it doesn’t happen.
Opponents of the bill, and supporters of the medical marijuana law, said there is no accurate test for marijuana impairment.They argued in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that the drug THC stays in the system for days after marijuana use — so people not suffering any impairment could be penalized.“I have not heard of any allegation, even, of a registered Montana patient driving under the influence,” said Tom Daubert of Helena, director of Patients and Families United.Voters approved the state’s medical marijuana law in 2004. It allows those who receive a prescription from a doctor to possess a limited amount of marijuana for personal use. The state registry has reported more than 1,000 patients are signed up for medical marijuana usage. The bill would authorized traffic officers to get blood tests for drug usage of medical marijuana card holders and to strip patients of their medical marijuana card if they refuse the test.Opponents of the initiative also argued Tuesday that it is unfair to strip patients of their medicine if they are caught while using, instead of just stripping driving privileges. Source: Associated Press (Wire)Published:  January 21, 2009Copyright: 2009 The Associated Press CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml

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Comment #12 posted by fight_4_freedom on January 22, 2009 at 14:01:47 PT
You did a magnificent job on the
Rob Breakenridge Show last night Paul. Excellent points were made by you as always. Our time is now!
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Comment #11 posted by Paint with light on January 22, 2009 at 01:30:20 PT
Cannabis and driving
One of my medicines comes with the warning,Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you are familiar with the effects.I think that is warning enough for cannabis.How about the idea of actually measureing impairment?Bring on any hand eye coordination, alphabet, or number test and if you can't pass them, then you might not ought to be driving.If you fall down laughing when the cop asks you to walk a straight line, you might not ought to be driving.If the cop asks where you were going and thirty minutes later you are still talking and have explained the meaning of the universe but can't remember the original question, then you might not ought to be driving.If you are doing 20 mph in a 45mph zone and you have your windshield wipers on even though it hasn't rained for three weeks, you might not ought to be driving.Seriously, I have known just a few people who never felt safe driving.If that is the case or if you feel you are too high to drive, don't. You probably aren't but you shouldn't take the chance.With freedom comes responsibility.Legalize it like alcohol is all I ask.
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Comment #10 posted by Vincent on January 21, 2009 at 21:34:50 PT:
Sen. Verdell Jackson's bill
So, Sen. Verdell Jackson (State senator that is) is against Medical Marijuana users, eh? But then I noticed that he is a Republican...oh well, no surprise there.
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Comment #9 posted by paul armentano on January 21, 2009 at 16:17:44 PT
On the radio tonight; listen on the Net
I'll be appearing live on the Jeff Farias show today at 7:30pm est. Listen live here:http://www.thejefffariasshow.com/Later tonight (10:30 est) I'll be on "The World Tonight," hosted by Rob Breakenridge:http://www.am770chqr.com/channels/reg/shows/theworldtonight/home.aspxListen here:http://www.am770chqr.com/On both shows I'll be discussing what the new administration means for marijuana policy reform.
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Comment #8 posted by NikoKun on January 21, 2009 at 14:44:05 PT
Totally ignorant of REALITY...
The reality of things, is that most Marijuana usage is no where near as dangerous while driving, as alcohol.
It's only slightly more effecting, than smoking tobacco while driving.BUT, politicians want to increase penalties for driving while high, regardless... All in the name of the idealisms and moralities that they live by.This is a case where baseless ideals are taking the front seat, and reality the back... -_-Being high while driving is not a dangerous thing. I agree that people shouldn't do ANYTHING while driving... But realistically we should not be taking away patients medicine, simply because they drive while on it.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on January 21, 2009 at 13:44:56 PT

News Article From KXLH
Bill Would Expand Prescription Roles for Medical Marijuana 
Kay Rossi for KXLH in Helena
 
 
January 21, 2009
  
 
 
 
Yesterday we reported about a bill in the Montana Legislature that would revoke registration cards of medical marijuana users for violating conditions of state law on the use of marijuana.On Wednesday, another bill was heard on the subject of medical marijuana.House Bill 73, if passed, would revise existing state law to allow physician assistants and nurse practitioners the authority to prescribe medical marijuana. Currently, only physicians are authorized to do so.MT State Representative Julie French (D-Scobey), the primary sponsor of the bill, said, "Medical marijuana is legal in the state of Montana. That's not the issue. It was resoundingly supported by the voters of Montana. The issue is, for me, an equality issue."French says the bill is intended to help Montanans who live in rural areas and are often only able to see an physicians assistant, rather than a doctor.URL: http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=9709864&nav=menu227_6
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on January 21, 2009 at 11:28:36 PT

Obama Tightens Ethics, Lobbying Rules
Obama Tightens Ethics, Lobbying Rules, Freezes Pay of Staff January 21, 2009http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=azQJo_wu7f64&refer=home
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on January 21, 2009 at 11:14:20 PT

Med Marijuana Bill Back Again in Minnesota Senate
By Joe Kimball January, 21, 2009Minnesota supporters of medical marijuana will take another crack this year at legalization with introduction of a bill (SF 97) in the state Senate. The bill passed the Senate last year but stalled in the House.Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said he'd veto such a bill if its final form is opposed by law enforcement, says the Minnesota Independent."The Medical Use of Marijuana bill would make it legal for patients to procure up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana from a state-regulated nonprofit, only with a physician’s approval and only to those patients who have registered with the state as medical marijuana users. The bill lays down harsh penalties for patients and nonprofits that dispense marijuana to individuals that aren’t qualified by state registration," says Andy Birkey in the Independent. Fourteen states allow the medical use of marijuana.Copyright: 2009 MinnPost.com http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2009/01/21/6064/medical_marijuana_bill_back_again_in_minnesota_senate

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Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 21, 2009 at 11:08:38 PT

It's Not Just About Getting High
It's Not Just About Getting High - Seven Marijuana Stocks January 21, 2009 http://seekingalpha.com/article/115726-it-s-not-just-about-getting-high-seven-marijuana-stocks
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on January 21, 2009 at 10:27:17 PT

Gitmo order 
So Obama has ordered Gitmo closed - within one full year. Let's hope he has some more goodies in his baghttp://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/01/obama_gets_to_w.html
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 21, 2009 at 10:07:45 PT

From Expanded AP Article
Excerpt: They also pointed out that no other law exists for prescription drugs with an impairment effect, and said the proposal seems like an effort to undermine the medical marijuana initiative."It really seems like an effort to thwart the will of voters," said Scott Crichton, American Civil Liberties Union of Montana executive director.http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/01/21/news/state/55-driving.txt
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Comment #1 posted by freewillks on January 21, 2009 at 09:17:03 PT

Pharma
Will the law also address driving under the influence of other Pharma type drugs that impare drivers?
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