cannabisnews.com: Lawmakers Sniff Out Pros, Cons of Medical Cannabis





Lawmakers Sniff Out Pros, Cons of Medical Cannabis
Posted by CN Staff on February 21, 2009 at 05:02:14 PT
Source: Great Falls Tribune
Helena, MT --  Visitors to the state Capitol on Friday couldn't help but notice the peculiar odor wafting throughout the building — and it wasn't the cafeteria's special of meatloaf.In an unprecedented show of support for medical marijuana, patients and caregivers put five live, flowering and very odiferous cannabis plants on display in the second floor rotunda.
The plants, along with volumes of material on the benefits of what patients and caregivers call a natural "wonder drug," were part of an all-day event dubbed "Cannabis at the Capitol."The event, sponsored by Patients and Families United, featured free brownies, several speakers and plenty of information on medical marijuana, so far one of the most buzzworthy issues of the 2009 Legislature.The Senate is scheduled to vote on a measure today that would increase the amount of medical marijuana patients could possess and expand the list of ailments that qualify for marijuana treatment.Edwin Stickney is a physician from Billings who first recommended medical marijuana for a young female patient suffering from Chiari's Syndrome, a genetic condition in which the base of the skull presses on the brain, causing chronic fatigue. Addressing a crowd of more than 100 supporters and curious onlookers, Stickney said he has seen medical marijuana turn around his patients' lives."Since then, I have had about 60 and 70 patients come to me," Stickney said. "They are not druggies ... for the most part they suffer from chronic pain."Stickney said medical marijuana allows his patients to avoid taking addictive prescription medications such as Percodan or Oxycontin."They have been able to replace (their painkillers) with medical marijuana ... and their quality of life improves," Stickney said.Not everyone was supportive of Friday's rally.Rep. Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, told the Bozeman Chronicle that he was furious over the cannabis rally. According to House Majority Leader Margarett Campbell, D-Poplar, McGillvray wanted security guards to remove the marijuana plants from the rotunda but was told the display was legal under Montana law."You don't get to pick and choose which events are covered under the First Amendment," Campbell said.Complete Title: Lawmakers Sniff Out Pros, Cons of Medical Cannabis Bill at CapitolSource: Great Falls Tribune (MT)Author: John S. Adams, Tribune Capitol BureauPublished: February 21, 2009 Copyright: 2009 Great Falls TribuneContact: tribcity sofast.netWebsite: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/PiqfL0dNRelated Articles:Medical Marijuana Measure Advanceshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24482.shtml Panel OKs Medical Marijuana Expansionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24481.shtml
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Comment #9 posted by GeoChemist on February 23, 2009 at 04:11:17 PT
I'd like to beat this guy with his bible
I do not practice or preach religion, but I love to mess with the bible thumpers, especially when there are contradictions to be pointed out. I sent this to the moron from Montana: 
 Dear sir,You need a reality check and it seems you were given one this past week regarding the display and your childish temper tantrum. I have news for you, people can decided for themselves what they so CHOOSE to put in their body, especially when the MOST DANGEROUS and ADDICTIVE substance known to human kind is LEGAL and readily AVAILABLE; a substance that causes 440,000 deaths (*EPA) a year. The substance is tobacco. Now who the HELL (a place you WILL be familiar with) gave you or anyone else for that matter moral authority? Only a sick, depraved government could invent a crime a person commits against themselves. When your day of reckoning finally arrives, may all of your "moral deeds" pass through your consciousness as YOU pass through the gates of HELL.
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Comment #8 posted by Garry Minor on February 22, 2009 at 18:14:22 PT:
Send Mr. Mcgillvray a note!
  tmcgillvray bresnan.net
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on February 22, 2009 at 11:11:12 PT
Just a Comment
I have never understood conservative thinking. No matter how hard I have tried over the years I just can't figure it out.
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on February 22, 2009 at 09:59:52 PT
Tom McGillvray is furious?
Mr. McGillvray, we, a lot of us, are furious, too ... at you and your ultra-arrogant attitude, and the the things that attitude leads you to instate.
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Comment #5 posted by Vincent on February 22, 2009 at 09:52:17 PT:
Medical Marijuana in Montana
As always, some Bible-banging Republican has to throw a temper-tantrum regarding Medical Marijuana. In this case the moralist was Rep. Tom McGillvray (R-Billings). When he learned of the display at the state capitol, he had a very rehearsed, very phony, public titty-attack. Talk about "Show-boating". This way, he could enrage his ignorant, religious extremist constituents, so that they will reelect him as their "savior". Such hypocrisy!
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Comment #4 posted by icehunts on February 21, 2009 at 21:54:38 PT
Yes for NJ MMJ
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEdvbq7UwhE Here is my video that was taken on Feb 21 representing my hope for NJ MMJ from Atlantic City, NJ. Hope that the senate bill will be passed on making MMJ progress in NJ to establishment its reputation as the Garden State! This was a last minute attemption to show my support to my home state. So it's very amateurish
NJ MMJ Youtube
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on February 21, 2009 at 08:30:09 PT
charmed quark
I wish you all the luck in the world!
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Comment #2 posted by charmed quark on February 21, 2009 at 08:01:31 PT
NJ Med Marijuana Vote
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/573/new_jersey_senate_vote_Monday_medical_marijuanaThe NJ Medical Marijuana Bill goes to the full senate for debate and vote this Monday. Wish us luck!
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on February 21, 2009 at 06:51:58 PT
Answers my Mother never gave me!
What motivates a hero?What was that martyr thinking?Am I cute?
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