Marijuana Bill Wins Final Approval in Legislature

[Bonetwister]

Marijuana Bill Wins Final Approval in Legislature
Posted by CN Staff on June 01, 2007 at 21:13:59 PT
By The Associated Press
Source: Associated Press

medical Hartford, Conn. -- A measure legalizing medicinal marijuana won final legislative approval in the state Senate Friday night, capping a five-year struggle that pitted broader patients' rights against concerns of easier access to an illicit drug.

The bill, which was approved 23-13, now heads to Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who has said she has mixed feelings about the measure. A spokesman said Friday she has not yet made a decision.

The state House of Representatives approved the measure on May 23.

Sen. Andrew McDonald, co-chairman of the General Assembly's Judiciary Committee, steered the bill to Senate approval. The measure has taken a "long odyssey through almost every committee of the legislature," McDonald, D-Stamford, told colleagues.

The legislation would allow residents older than 18 with specific debilitating medical conditions diagnosed by a physician to cultivate and use marijuana to relieve symptoms. Patients with written certification from their physicians would have to register with the Department of Consumer Protection.

The patient and the primary caregiver would be limited to growing no more than four plants, each having a maximum height of four feet, in an indoor, secure facility.

Supporters say the measure would protect people who try to obtain marijuana to help stem the effects of diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.

"Is there anything we would begrudge our brothers and sisters as they face those terrible diseases?" asked Sen. John McKinney, R-Fairfield. "What would I do for someone I love if they were facing the harrowing future of a debilitating disease and it really was up in the air if they'd survive or not?"

Opponents said the legislation undermines anti-drug efforts, particularly in reaching youngsters.

"We'll be sending a mixed message to young people about whether marijuana is good or bad," said Sen. Sam Caligiuri, R-Waterbury. "We're going to undercut our ability to keep children away from this gateway drug."

Sen. William Nickerson, R-Greenwich, told his colleagues that politicians are not experts on whether medical marijuana is safe and effective.

"This politically oriented body should not be the location where this decision is made," he said.

Rell said in March that she has "mixed emotions," citing concerns about the cultivation of marijuana plants, but sympathizing with people in pain.

Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Published: June 1, 2007
Copyright: 2007 Associated Press

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[Bonetwister]

Drug Case Against Pair Dropped

Drug Case Against Pair Dropped
Posted by CN Staff on June 02, 2007 at 05:10:31 PT
By Sara Reed
Source: Coloradoan

medical Colorado -- In a decision heralded by defense attorneys as the "legally and morally right thing to do," prosecutors dropped marijuana cultivation and possession charges against a Fort Collins couple who use and provide medical marijuana to other patients.

James and Lisa Masters were set to stand trial Monday morning, but instead, deputy District Attorney Michael Pierson announced during a hearing Friday afternoon that his office was dropping the case.

The dismissal came in the wake of a recent ruling by Chief District Court Judge James Hiatt that a Larimer County Drug Task Force agent illegally searched the couple's Fort Collins home Aug. 2, 2006.

The two sides originally were due in court Friday to argue a defense motion to exclude the evidence seized from the home because the warrant was obtained using information gathered during the illegal search.

"(This was) a hearing we genuinely felt we could not win," Pierson said. "It takes away all of our evidence."

However, Pierson said, it is the office's position that the dropping of the case "does not vindicate" the couple.

Outside the Larimer County Justice Center after the hearing, it was quite clear the couple and their lawyers felt vindicated, declaring the result "a huge victory."

"Justice has come," said Rob Corry, one of the couple's attorneys.

James Masters also declared the day a victory, but also expressed some frustration.

"If only (police) had realized we were protected under the (Colorado) constitution," he said. "It's important they realize they can't keep knocking down peoples doors."

The Masterses’ attorneys also were prepared to argue against the admissibility of the evidence seized from the couple’s home because the affidavit for the search warrant made no mention that the two told police they were medical marijuana patients and caregivers.

James Masters said that before his arrest, medical marijuana helped him regain his health, only to have it deteriorate again with the stress of the case.

“I got myself back to the state I wanted to be,” he said. “But (the case) reversed everything marijuana brought to me.”

However, there was a more difficult side of the case, which the couple said broke them down.

“The hardest part was not having our babies for eight weeks,” James Masters said, choking back tears.

The couple’s daughters, 4 and 6, were removed from the home by the Larimer County Department of Human Services. The family was later reunited, and no child abuse charges were filed.

Police seized 39 marijuana plants, 12 of which were ready for harvest, from the couple’s home. The couple served as caregivers with the Colorado Compassion Club, providing medical marijuana for other patients in the area. Both are also medical marijuana patients.

The case was being hailed as a “test case” for the caregiver provision of the medical marijuana amendment.

Voters passed Amendment 20 in November 2000, which established Colorado’s medical marijuana law.

Note: Dismissal comes after it was determined agents illegally searched the couple's home.

Source: Coloradoan (CO)
Author: Sara Reed
Published: June 2, 2007
Copyright: 2007 The Fort Collins Coloradoan
Website: http://www.coloradoan.com/
Contact: [email protected]

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[Bonetwister]

Marijuana Law on Back Burner

Marijuana Law on Back Burner
Posted by CN Staff on June 02, 2007 at 05:36:43 PT
By Kate Larsen, Staff Writer
Source: Daily Camera

cannabis Lafayette, CO -- A proposed city law change that would raise the fine for marijuana possession by 10 times appears to have gone up in smoke.

In February, the City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would repeal Lafayette's $100 fine for cannabis possession and increase the possible penalty to a maximum $1,000 fine and a year in jail. Controversy followed, with a backup municipal judge resigning over the matter and protests from the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups.

A discussion on the matter that the council had scheduled for April was postponed, and city officials now say the matter is on the back burner indefinitely.

"It's on hold," said Gary Klaphake, Lafayette's city administrator. "And that's not an editorial on whether it's good or bad or whether we should or shouldn't; it's about time management."

Klaphake said taking up the issue would likely result in thousands of e-mails and phone calls to the city, as well as public hearings with hours of testimony from those on all sides.

"That's such a huge distraction for such a minimal return," Klaphake said.

The city has more pressing matters to deal with — such as budgets, street repairs and a new police station — that affect more residents, he said.

That's good news to marijuana-reform group Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation, which joined with several other Colorado organizations to oppose the ordinance.

"We're very glad to see that the city of Lafayette isn't going to spend any more time worrying about a drug that's less harmful than alcohol," said SAFER executive director Mason Tvert.

City Councilman David Strungis, who voted against the ordinance on first reading, said he thinks the issue will eventually come back up. He still isn't in favor of it, though.

"The punishment should fit the crime," Strungis said. "The fact that someone could spend up to a year in jail or pay a $1,000 fine for something that's a misdemeanor seems too far away from the crime for me."

Note: Lafayette will not be discussing bigger fine anytime soon.

Source: Daily Camera (Boulder, CO)
Author: Kate Larsen, Staff Writer
Published: Friday, June 1, 2007
Copyright: 2007 The Daily Camera
Website: http://www.dailycamera.com/
Contact: [email protected]

Safer Choice
http://www.saferchoice.org/

CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archives

 

[Bonetwister]

Medical Marijuana Bill Wins OK

Medical Marijuana Bill Wins OK
Posted by CN Staff on June 02, 2007 at 06:08:49 PT
By Brian Lockhart, Staff Writer
Source: Stamford Advocate

medical Hartford -- The state Senate, in a 23-13 bipartisan vote, last night approved a bill to legalize the medical use of marijuana to relieve the suffering of patients with debilitating conditions such as cancer or AIDS.

The legislation, approved May 23 by the House, 89-58, heads to Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell for her signature.

If the legislation becomes law, Connecticut will become the 13th state to allow the palliative use of marijuana despite the federal prohibition against it.

"She'll read it thoroughly and think it over," Rell spokesman Adam Liegeot said.

A 2004 University of Connecticut poll showed 83 percent of respondents backed allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana in such cases.

State Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, introduced the legislation on the Senate floor. But the four other senators from southwestern Connecticut - Bob Duff, D-Norwalk; Judith Freedman, R-Westport; John McKinney, R-Fairfield; and William Nickerson, R-Greenwich - opposed the bill.

The legislation passed last night would allow a doctor to certify an adult patient's use of marijuana after determining he or she has a debilitating condition and could potentially benefit from marijuana. Patients and their primary caregivers would then register with the state Department of Consumer Protection.

The patient and the primary caregiver would be limited to growing no more than four plants, each having a maximum height of 4 feet, in an indoor secure facility.

"It's rare we have an opportunity to pass legislation that will have an extraordinary effect on the well-being of those who are the sickest amongst us," McDonald said in introducing the bill.

But Nickerson said it was not wise for state legislators to make decisions best left to the Federal Drug Administration.

"They are legally authorized, medically equipped and have decades of experience," Nickerson said.

McKinney said although it is a "proven medical fact" marijuana use can prove damaging, its medical benefits are less conclusive.

He also was concerned that the plants grown for medical purposes would not be destroyed afterward and would contribute to the drug trade.

"And that marijuana then goes back out onto the street, maybe into the hands of some kids," McKinney said. "(The bill) is very well-intended, but I think there's a lot of room for error here."

Freedman introduced a few amendments that would either provide additional restrictions or call for further study of the bill.

But even if any of her amendments were adopted, she said she still would vote against the bill.

Freedman also had a message for the ill residents who may have been watching the debate.

"We hear your pain. We feel your pain," she said. "But there has to be a way to make it subside with legal means."

Duff did not participate in the debate, but afterward said the bill is flawed because anyone who takes advantage of the legislation would be breaking the law.

"You cannot, legally, get the first seed . . . under federal law. Your doctor can't give you the first seed. You can't mail order the seed, legally," Duff said. "Our country abides by the rule of law, so therefore this is not a bill we really should be debating in the legislature."

McDonald said afterward: "It would still be illegal under federal law, although I can't point to one case in the country where the federal government has arrested somebody for purchasing marijuana seeds for medicinal purposes."

He said the bill could be challenged in federal court.

"But now we're going to have 13 states," he said. "I'm pretty certain we're close to a tipping point where the FDA will be forced into a position of funding studies they've consistently refused to undertake."

Source: Stamford Advocate, The (CT)
Author: Brian Lockhart, Staff Writer
Published: June 2, 2007
Copyright: 2007 Southern Connecticut Newspaper, Inc.
Contact: [email protected]
Website: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/

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Marijuana Bill Wins Final Approval in Legislature
Posted by CN Staff on June 02, 2007 at 06:08:49 PT
By Brian Lockhart, Staff Writer
Source: Stamford Advocate

medical Hartford -- The state Senate, in a 23-13 bipartisan vote, last night approved a bill to legalize the medical use of marijuana to relieve the suffering of patients with debilitating conditions such as cancer or AIDS.

The legislation, approved May 23 by the House, 89-58, heads to Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell for her signature.

If the legislation becomes law, Connecticut will become the 13th state to allow the palliative use of marijuana despite the federal prohibition against it.

"She'll read it thoroughly and think it over," Rell spokesman Adam Liegeot said.

A 2004 University of Connecticut poll showed 83 percent of respondents backed allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana in such cases.

State Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, introduced the legislation on the Senate floor. But the four other senators from southwestern Connecticut - Bob Duff, D-Norwalk; Judith Freedman, R-Westport; John McKinney, R-Fairfield; and William Nickerson, R-Greenwich - opposed the bill.

The legislation passed last night would allow a doctor to certify an adult patient's use of marijuana after determining he or she has a debilitating condition and could potentially benefit from marijuana. Patients and their primary caregivers would then register with the state Department of Consumer Protection.

The patient and the primary caregiver would be limited to growing no more than four plants, each having a maximum height of 4 feet, in an indoor secure facility.

"It's rare we have an opportunity to pass legislation that will have an extraordinary effect on the well-being of those who are the sickest amongst us," McDonald said in introducing the bill.

But Nickerson said it was not wise for state legislators to make decisions best left to the Federal Drug Administration.

"They are legally authorized, medically equipped and have decades of experience," Nickerson said.

McKinney said although it is a "proven medical fact" marijuana use can prove damaging, its medical benefits are less conclusive.

He also was concerned that the plants grown for medical purposes would not be destroyed afterward and would contribute to the drug trade.

"And that marijuana then goes back out onto the street, maybe into the hands of some kids," McKinney said. "(The bill) is very well-intended, but I think there's a lot of room for error here."

Freedman introduced a few amendments that would either provide additional restrictions or call for further study of the bill.

But even if any of her amendments were adopted, she said she still would vote against the bill.

Freedman also had a message for the ill residents who may have been watching the debate.

"We hear your pain. We feel your pain," she said. "But there has to be a way to make it subside with legal means."

Duff did not participate in the debate, but afterward said the bill is flawed because anyone who takes advantage of the legislation would be breaking the law.

"You cannot, legally, get the first seed . . . under federal law. Your doctor can't give you the first seed. You can't mail order the seed, legally," Duff said. "Our country abides by the rule of law, so therefore this is not a bill we really should be debating in the legislature."

McDonald said afterward: "It would still be illegal under federal law, although I can't point to one case in the country where the federal government has arrested somebody for purchasing marijuana seeds for medicinal purposes."

He said the bill could be challenged in federal court.

"But now we're going to have 13 states," he said. "I'm pretty certain we're close to a tipping point where the FDA will be forced into a position of funding studies they've consistently refused to undertake."

Source: Stamford Advocate, The (CT)
Author: Brian Lockhart, Staff Writer
Published: June 2, 2007
Copyright: 2007 Southern Connecticut Newspaper, Inc.
Contact: [email protected]
Website: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/

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Marijuana Bill Wins Final Approval in Legislature