cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Bill Goes Up in Smoke Medical Marijuana Bill Goes Up in Smoke Posted by FoM on January 24, 2001 at 17:13:12 PT By Patrick Baker, Capital Journal Staff Source: Capital Journal Legislators just said no this morning to cultivating marijuana for medical uses while leaving the door open to growing its sister plant for industrial uses. Sen. Ron Volesky, D-Huron, introduced both SB73, medical marijuana, and SB86, industrial hemp, to the Senate State Affairs Commitee. The former bill was weeded out of the committee's list of legislation to consider while the latter will linger at least until Friday. Although some committee members said the idea of medicinal marijuana holds merit, they also said there are too many unresolved issues within the bill to pass it to the Senate floor. SB73 was deferred to the 41st day of the legislative session, nullifying the bill.SB86, which would authorize the production of industrial hemp, garnered much discussion and was deferred to Friday for action.Two residents of the state testified as to the medicinal benefits of marijuana. Both said they have had to break the law in order to ease suffering.Ken Bowman, Rapid City, said he procured marijuana for his late wife when she was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments aimed at neutralizing her breast cancer. Bowman said marijuana was a last resort, but it was more effective in reducing his wife's nausea and restoring her appetite while costing less than legal drugs that were prescribed by doctors.Gina Engebretson, Mitchell, said marijuana helped ease her chronic back pain, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. She said she cannot understand why a drug that can ease suffering is not legalized or controlled for medical use.Sen. Fred Whiting, R-Rapid City, said marijuana as a medicine is worth investigating. However, due to federal laws, he said he cannot see how the drug could be distributed or controlled in the state."I think it deserves consideration ... but I just don't feel I have the information I need to do it," he said.Sen. Barbara Everist, R-Sioux Falls, said federal laws and problems for state law enforcement make passage of such a bill difficult. Sen. Don Brosz, R-Watertown, said nobody explained how the nine states in the country which have legalized medical marijuana circumvent federal law. Sen. Jim Hutmacher, D-Oacoma, suggested the issue be studied more thoroughly in an interim committee this summer. Sen. Paul Symens, D-Amherst, said he would vote against SB73 but he said the concept has potential."This is an issue that is important to a lot of people," Symens said. "It does alleviate suffering, there's no question."While introducing the hemp bill, Volesky said, "We're talking about flying in the face of the federal government. I guess we're going to do it again."Federal law also prohibits the growth of hemp for industrial uses. Testimony this morning, however, indicated that the kind of hemp grown for manufacturing has no intoxicating effect."We have people who are ready, willing and eager to get into industrial hemp," Volesky said. "I think it's an important value-added agricultural initiative."Volesky said 16 other states have authorized hemp production through legislative procedure or through popular referendum.Reps. Sam Nachtigal, D-Platte, Frank Kloucek, D-Scotland and former legislator Bob Weber testified as farmers in support of SB86. "Virtually every farmer has the equipment to grow this product," Nachtigal said. According to Nachtigal, hemp would give farmers another option in terms of diversifying crops. He said it has many uses and would likely be marketable.Kloucek said hemp would cost as much to plant as most other crops and suggested that the free market be allowed to decide the profitability of its production.Weber said more than $100 million worth of hemp products were imported into the United States last year while Canadian growers reported profits of $600 an acre. He said South Dakota should join other states that have authorized production and "get Washington's attention."Bill Mickelson, South Dakota Highway Patrol, argued that marijuana could be grown in the middle of a hemp field making it difficult for law enforcement officers to find. George Williams, Department of Agriculture, said he opposes the bill and questions the long-term marketability of hemp.The committee will discuss SB86 this Friday before taking action on the bill.Contact staff writer Patrick Baker by phone at 224-7301 or via e-mail at: news capjournal.comSource: Pierre Capital Journal (SD)Author: Patrick Baker, Capital Journal Staff Published: January 24, 2001 Phone: 605-224-7301Fax : 605-224-9210Copyright: 2001 Pierre Capital JournalAddress: 333 W. Dakota P.O. Box 878, Pierre, SD 57501Contact: news capjournal.comWebsite: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=1130Related Articles & Web Sites:South Dakota NORMLhttp://www.sodaknorml.org/South Dakota Industrial Hemp Councilhttp://www.sodakhemp.org/Senator Urges Use of Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8425.shtmlPoll: SD Favors Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8394.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #9 posted by cookie on January 27, 2001 at 08:34:47 PT: buy some weed can i buy a ten because i want to get fucked out my head [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by meagain on January 26, 2001 at 01:35:40 PT Just thinkin John I was considering the thought that medical insurance would have to pick up part of that tab lol just like wheel chairs and crutches and penicillenas far as the 3 oz and 7 plant limit that was from Hawaii State medical Use Law... anything is a start, ammendments have been made in legislation for decades.If I can comply with this law anyone can that has a medical need. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by observer on January 25, 2001 at 08:42:44 PT Propaganda Technique: ridicule Propoganda machines . . . "Medical Marijuana Bill Goes Up in Smoke" . . .When the pun-words "up in smoke" (or any pun words/phrases like them) are used, it illistrates a vantage point: it directs the reader not to take the article too seriously. After all, filthy dope addicts.... Excellent point greenfox! One could make a study of the pot-pun headlines. On this subject, Richard Cowan wrote in 1998,. . The use of puns is mandatory in any article about marijuana. This is meant to prevent readers from giving any serious thought to the subject, which clearly the reporter has not. Journalistic standards have gone to pot and editors are not high on critical thinking, which tends to make a hash of things. Get the picture?-- Richard Cowan, 1998http://www.marijuananews.com/half_of_calgary_green_team.htm PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES, FM 33-1, Appendix I, 1979 [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by John Markes on January 25, 2001 at 08:06:21 PT Something bad from both sides... meagain, unfortunately, some patients who use medical marijuana would be disqualified for your overly restrictive bill. Such an inhumane document should simply be burned. It's not that it's evil, it just excludes any patient who need more, and places the burden of proof on the already disabled or debilitated patient. A state approval board with one united guiding policy could confirm needed amounts without subjecting patients to undue legal problems. And then the expense of forcing them to set up such a ridiculous grow-room is entirely unreasonable. This might be a nice setup for some well-paid recreational user, but sarifices too many patients on the alter of inhumanity. Try again and think from a patient's point of view... Not to insult you, but that bill is insulting to patients. If a law still leaves one on the side of illegality, then the law is useless, or worse. I am surpprised no one asked the South Dakota Highway Patrol representative why they get paid so much if they didn't feel qualified to handle situations considered normal in other countries, such as distinguishing between commercially grown hemp and marijuana. Are they really that incompetent? Alliance for Reform of Drug Policy in Arkansas [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by greenfox on January 25, 2001 at 07:37:49 PT Propoganda machines "Medical Marijuana Bill Goes Up in Smoke"When the pun-words "up in smoke" (or any pun words/phrases like them) are used, it illistrates a vantage point: it directs the reader not to take the article too seriously. After all, filthy dope addicts....sly in green, foxy in kind-green fox [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by sm247 on January 25, 2001 at 05:04:40 PT Well.... At least they are finally moving and talking about something I would be happy to see industrial use pass and a medical bill re-introduced .If a million lottery tickets were dropped over the www.millionmarijuanamarch.com events people wouldn't be so afraid to show up ....hmmmm bet that would get em talkin too !!! anyone buying the tickets i have a small lack of funds issue do to taxes and slow industry lookin at being laid off soon but he marchin doesn't take gas . [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by meagain on January 25, 2001 at 04:57:23 PT Try this for size Sen. Fred Whiting, R-Rapid City, said marijuana as a medicine is worth investigating. However, due to federal laws, he said he cannot see how the drug could be distributed or controlled in the state."I think it deserves consideration ... but I just don't feel I have the information I need to do it," he said.How would this work ???Medical Use 1. To ensure that qualifying state residents have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical puposes where that medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined that the persons health would benefit from the use of marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, muscle spasms, multiple sclerosis, crohn's disease, severe nausea, cachexia, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief. 2. To ensure that patients who obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes upon the recommendation of a physician are not subject to criminal prosecution or sanction. 3. Upon an inquiry by law enforcement agency, the department of health shall verify whether a particular person has registered with the department and may provide reasonable access to the registry information for official law enforcement purposes. 4. The qualifying patient shall register with, and provide a written certification to the Dept. of Health within ten working days of reciept of the written certification. The Dept. of Health shall issue to the qualifying patient a registration certificate, registration identification card and may charge a reasonable fee, not to exceed $25 dollars 5. The authorization for medical use of marijuana in this section does not apply to; A. Use in a school bus, public bus, or any other public transportation. B. Use in the workplace of one's employment. C. Use on any school grounds. D. Use in any public park, public beach, public recreation center, or youth center. E. Use in any place open to the public. F. Use in any moving vehicle without a partition between the driver and the occupents of said vehicle. 6. No person shall be subject to arrest or prosecution for being in the presence or vicinity of the medical use of marijuana permitted under this act. 7. Marijuana and any property used in connection with the medical use of marijuana shall not be subject to search and seizure. Marijuana, paraphernalia, or any other property seized from a qualifying patient in connection with claimed medical use of marijuana under this part shall be returned by a court that the qualifying patient is entitled to the protections of this act with the following exception; A. State will not be held responsible for upkeep of confiscated live plants. 8. That a person qualifying for medical use shall be entitled to; A. 3 oz of marijuana B. 7 marijuana plants for cultivation 9. That any marijuana, marijuana plants, paraphernalia, or any other property used for medical use be kept in a secure area meeting the following requirements; A. Not to be more than 12' X 12' X 12' B. Not more than 2 individual 500 watt Lights C. With adequate 2 stage ventilation to the outdoors D. To be secured with a combination padlock and hasp E. Entrance will be hidden from accidental finding by minors F. Equipment to be controlled with electronic timers for sufficient operation notice this gives plenty of room for infractions when people don't abide by the guidelines like if they have 2 550 watt lights for example they would be a small fine Please get that bill back on the floor and passed your consituants are expecting you to say what they are afraid to say REFORM i have heard people say it just like this "thats what they are in office for to vote for my rights" [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by MikeEEEEE on January 24, 2001 at 19:11:28 PT Anyway you look at it Freedom loses, but we're winning. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by aocp on January 24, 2001 at 18:10:17 PT: Ramblings >Bowman said marijuana was a last resort, but it was more effective in reducing his wife's nausea and restoring her appetite while costing less than legal drugs that were prescribed by doctors.Remember, they're ignoring this completely for "unresolved issues". Spooky, huh?>Gina Engebretson, Mitchell, said marijuana helped ease her chronic back pain, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. She said she cannot understand why a drug that can ease suffering is not legalized or controlled for medical use.Ya got me. Politicians must be either mean or ignorant. Flip a coin and the selection still sucks.>Sen. Barbara Everist, R-Sioux Falls, said federal laws and problems for state law enforcement make passage of such a bill difficult.Rule numero uno for avoiding mature responsibility to help the sick and dying when in a position to do so: blame it on somebody else.>Sen. Don Brosz, R-Watertown, said nobody explained how the nine states in the country which have legalized medical marijuana circumvent federal law. Well, nobody has explained how the federal law trumps the state initiatives, either. Using that as a shield for doing the obviously humane thing is beneath contempt.>Sen. Jim Hutmacher, D-Oacoma, suggested the issue be studied more thoroughly in an interim committee this summer.Uh-huh. Somehow, i don't think your constituents who could benefit from MMJ are going to let you forget. Good luck.>Sen. Paul Symens, D-Amherst, said he would vote against SB73 but he said the concept has potential.>"This is an issue that is important to a lot of people," Symens said. "It does alleviate suffering, there's no question."However, i vote FOR suffering, so all y'all just have a GREAT day!>Federal law also prohibits the growth of hemp for industrial uses. Testimony this morning, however, indicated that the kind of hemp grown for manufacturing has no intoxicating effect.Whoa. There's a shocker. I wonder if there are really people out there that don't know that. Huh. Well, it's never too late to crack a book or laptop.>"We have people who are ready, willing and eager to get into industrial hemp," Volesky said. "I think it's an important value-added agricultural initiative."Yea, well, the gov't doesn't think much more of farmers than it does of MMJ patients, IV users, or general human freedom. Damn shame, heya?>Volesky said 16 other states have authorized hemp production through legislative procedure or through popular referendum.Whatever shall they do when given the 'evil eye' of the feds?>Bill Mickelson, South Dakota Highway Patrol, argued that marijuana could be grown in the middle of a hemp field making it difficult for law enforcement officers to find.To an idiot, yea, maybe. Hemp plants are actually VERY distinguishable from the intoxicating variety and whatever bud you got out of there wouldn't be worth much, if anything.>George Williams, Department of Agriculture, said he opposes the bill and questions the long-term marketability of hemp.Your long-term WOsD has been, is, and will continue to be questioned as to its 'marketability,' get my drift? >:) [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: