Pubdate: Fri, 08 Feb 2002
Source: Frederick News Post (MD)
Copyright: 2002 Great Southern Printing and Manufacturing Company
Contact: 
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/contact/contactfinalnew.cfm?contact=letters
Website: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/814
Author: Douglas Tallman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

50 LAWMAKERS BACK MEDICAL MARIJUANA

ANNAPOLIS -- More than 50 lawmakers have signed on to a bill that would 
legalize marijuana for the terminally ill, a proposal that has been killed 
in legislative committees for the last two years.

But with so many cosponsors on the bill, a key supporter said it was a sign 
the three-year effort was gaining momentum.

"I am confident we will do better this year," said Delegate Donald Murphy, 
R-Baltimore County. "Cancer patients and AIDS patients can't afford to wait 
another year."

"This is a pro-life bill," Delegate Janet Greenip, R-Anne Arundel, said at 
a press conference Thursday for the bill. "This is one way to make sure 
people at the end of their life don't have to suffer."

Among the supporters are Democratic and Republican leaders of the House, as 
well as Delegate Dan Morhaim, an emergency room physician, and Delegate 
Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, a nurse.

Also signed on are three Frederick County delegates: Republicans Louise 
Snodgrass and David Brinkley, both cancer survivors, and Democrat Sue Hecht.

The bill envisions patients who face debilitating illnesses, with a 
recommendation from their doctor, would apply to the Maryland Department of 
Health and Mental Hygiene for an identification card.

With the card, the patients would be immune from prosecution for possession 
or cultivation of small amounts of marijuana.

Patients and their primary caregivers would be required to grow marijuana 
in secure indoor facilities, to prevent theft.

"So many families are getting (marijuana) illegally because they can't bear 
to watch their family members when they don't have much time," Ms. 
Snodgrass said.

"If doctors can prescribe codeine and morphine, then marijuana should not 
be a problem," said Delegate Clarence Davis, D-Baltimore.

The bill was drafted in response to the death of Darrell Putman, a 
Vietnam-era Green Beret who lived in Woodbine. Mr. Putman told Mr. Murphy 
that he turned to marijuana after contracting Hodgkin's lymphoma, 
describing his fear that he could lose his home and business if convicted.

"He wouldn't have turned to this lightly," Mr. Murphy said.

Mr. Brinkley described his own cancer fight 12 years ago. The cancer 
treatments made him very sick. Swallowing was a chore, making the act of 
eating nearly impossible. Marijuana, he said, would encourage patients to 
eat and get their strength back.

Mr. Murphy introduced the first bill for the 2000 General Assembly, 
anticipating Mr. Putman would testify in support. Mr. Putman died before 
the session began.

The House Judiciary Committee shot down the 2000 bill. The 2001 version 
died in the Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee.

Nine of the sponsors sit on the House Judiciary Committee, Mr. Murphy said.

"I'm afraid to let the chairman know I've got the votes," Mr. Murphy said.

But if the bill survives a floor vote in the House, the Senate's judicial 
panel is considered a greater hurdle.

Last month, Gonzales/Arscott Research & Communications Inc. released the 
results of a poll showing voters would support candidates who support 
medical marijuana.

"There are some senators who are going to have to take a look at that 
poll," Mr. Murphy said. "If we can't convince them now, we're going to have 
to convince them in November."

Mr. Murphy's bill would prevent a prosecution. Other bills have been 
introduced in case it fails to pass.

Delegate Dana Dembrow, D-Montgomery, has a bill that would allow patients 
facing prosecution to say at their trial they were using marijuana for 
their illness.

And Delegate Thomas Hutchins, R-Charles, has a bill that would allow judges 
to consider medical necessity for patients convicted of marijuana crimes.

While 10,000 people die each year from cancer, Mr. Murphy said, no one dies 
from marijuana.

"Pretzels are more dangerous than marijuana," he joked.
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