Pubdate: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 Source: Boston Globe (MA) Copyright: 2002 Globe Newspaper Company Contact: http://www.boston.com/globe/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52 Author: Ross Sneyd, Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) HOUSE TO TAKE UP MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) Preliminary approval was given Thursday in the Vermont House to a bill that would permit people with debilitating diseases to relieve their pain by smoking marijuana. Approval came on an 81-53 vote after about four hours of sometimes emotional debate highlighted by lawmakers' personal stories about how friends and relatives had used marijuana to ease their discomfort. Proponents said the proposal would give comfort to people who were suffering near the end of their lives. Opponents countered that there was too little evidence proving the case. And they argued that the proposal was a step toward legalizing recreational use of marijuana. "These are people who are in terrible pain. Many are dying," said Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, D-Montpelier, who recounted how his wife was offered marijuana as she was dying from cancer almost a year ago, which she did not accept. "This is an issue of compassion for their pain." Several lawmakers said it wouldn't be long before the bill would lead to a push for legalizing marijuana for any purpose. "The real issue here is to get a foot in the door on legalizing marijuana," said Rep. Thomas DePoy, R-Rutland. "This is a smoke screen to allow the camel's nose under the tent," added Rep. Nancy Sheltra, R-Derby. The bill would not legalize the use of marijuana for any purpose. It still would remain technically illegal even for those with chronic or terminal illnesses. But people suffering from cancer, glaucoma, AIDS or diseases that cause wasting syndrome, severe pain or nausea, seizures, or persistent muscle spasms could get a medical certificate from a physician declaring that marijuana would relieve the symptoms. Those people then would be exempt from criminal and civil penalties for using marijuana. There would be restrictions on how much marijuana someone could possess no more than three mature plants, four immature plants or three ounces of usable marijuana and people would not be allowed to drive or operate heavy machinery when using the drug. "This is not about recreational use," said Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington, a prime sponsor of the bill. "There are no holes." Vermont would become the ninth state in the nation to ignore federal laws banning marijuana and authorizing its medical use. Several supporters said they would prefer the U.S. Food and Drug Administration submitted marijuana to trials that would lead to its authorization as a medical therapy. But that is not in the offing and the supporters said it was time to add Vermont to the trend. "I think this comes down to a matter of compassion and understanding," said Rep. Jack Anderson, D-Woodstock, one of at least a half dozen lawmakers who told compelling stories about friends or family members who had used marijuana to relieve pain near the ends of their lives. Gov. Howard Dean said at his weekly news conference that he remained opposed to Vermont authorizing marijuana use without FDA authorization. "I think the right thing to do if you think this is a good drug you should let it go through the FDA," Dean said. He did not say outright that he would veto the bill if it reached him. His administration appeared to be counting on persuading the Senate either to kill the bill or simply not to take it up in the remaining weeks of the legislative session. The House still must take a final vote on the bill and that's expected as early as Friday. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk