cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Bill Moves On in Legislature





Medical Marijuana Bill Moves On in Legislature
Posted by FoM on May 19, 2001 at 08:35:42 PT
By Jennifer Crowe
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal
A proposed medical marijuana bill in Nevada has moved forward, after legislative lawyers determined a U.S. Supreme Court ruling does not affect the state’s plan, lawmakers said Friday. The opinion by legislative lawyers says the high court ruling Monday does not forbid states from decriminalizing the use of pot by seriously ill people.“The Supreme Court did not in any way address the impropriety or legality of the decision of a state to exempt persons from state prosecution for the medical use of marijuana,” according to the opinion.
Assembly Bill 453 sponsor Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said the legal opinion bolsters Nevada’s stand on medical marijuana, a plan twice approved by voters.“I’m absolutely convinced our bill is constitutional,” she said.The Assembly Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed the bill Thursday and sent it to the Assembly floor for a vote next week.AB 453 would create a state registry with identification cards. Patients suffering from such terminal illnesses as cancer, AIDS and glaucoma could apply for a card if approved by a licensed Nevada doctor. Approved patients could grow up to seven plants at home and use the drug only there.AB 453 also would reduce penalties for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. That change is intended to reflect current court practice to charge drug offenders with misdemeanors, although marijuana possession in Nevada is a felony. “I’m pretty sure it will stay in the bill,” said Giunchigliani. If AB 453 is approved, it would go to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain. Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he didn’t see the point of approving a bill that conflicts with a federal law.In 1998 and 2000, nearly two out of every three Nevada voters supported the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Nevada joins voters in Arizona, Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Oregon and Washington in passing such ballot initiatives. The Hawaii Legislature passed a similar law that was signed by the governor last year.Source: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV)Author: Mike HendersonPublished: May 20th, 2001Copyright: 2001 Reno Gazette-JournalContact: rgjmail nevadanet.comWebsite: http://www.rgj.com/index.htmlRelated Articles:Lawmaker: Donations Needed for Programhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9788.shtmlAssembly Panel Approves Nevada Marijuana Plan http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9773.shtmlBacker of Nevada Program To Keep Workinghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9739.shtmlEx-Candidate Offers To Fund Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9656.shtml 
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Comment #1 posted by michael on May 19, 2001 at 09:16:40 PT:
Idiot
  " Doesn't see the point" in approving that bill? Sen. Mark James is a short sighted idiot.
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