Pubdate: Wed, 14 Mar 2007
Source: Baltimore Messenger (MD)
Copyright: 2007 Patuxent Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://news.mywebpal.com/index.cfm?pnpid=574
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4302
Author: Sharahn D. Boykin, Capital News Service
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

OAKS' BILL WOULD ALLOW MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL USES

Before her arrest three years ago, the first thing Leslie Miller did 
when she woke up each morning was reach for her bong and take four or 
five tokes of marijuana.

She wasn't trying to get high, but simply to make it through the day 
without the back spasms and debilitating headaches that she said have 
tormented her since a serious car accident nearly 20 years ago.

"You don't get high," Miller said of her use of the drug, "and at the 
same time you feel better because you're not taking a narcotic."

The 49-year-old Chestertown mother of two was in Annapolis this week 
to support legislation introduced by a north Baltmore-area legislator 
that would make Maryland the 12th state to allow patients to use 
marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The bill, sponsored by Del. Nathaniel T. Oaks, would allow patients 
who qualify to grow marijuana legally.

"I'm here because I feel for people that need this treatment," Oaks 
told members of the House Judiciary Committee.

Miller is hoping such a law will spare others from having the arrest 
and conviction on drug charges she carries on her record. Because she 
is on probation from those charges, Miller said she no longer uses marijuana.

Although medical opinion is divided on whether the chemical 
ingredients in marijuana actually have therapeutic or medicinal 
value, the federal government has no doubts. The U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration has not approved marijuana for medical uses, and the 
White House has opposed legislation that would allow it. In 2005, the 
Supreme Court ruled that the federal government can still ban 
possession of the drug in states that have eliminated sanctions for its use.

"This is poor public policy, poor law and poor science," Dr. Bertha 
Madras, deputy director for demand eduction in the Office of National 
Drug Control Policy, said in an interview.

Under state law, people who use the drug medicinally can be arrested, 
prosecuted for possession of marijuana or paraphernalia, or fined up to $100.

Should the legislation pass, the Department of Health and Mental 
Hygiene would issue picture identification cards to patients who 
qualify to use medical marijuana.

The proposal also exempts caregivers from arrests, penalties and 
disciplinary action.

"This is recognizing the beneficial use of marijuana and the fact 
that some people need it," said Sen. Lisa A. Gladden. "We understand 
what the federal government is saying, but we also recognize the 
federal government is not going to spend any energy on a person who 
has six little plants."

The proposed bill would allow people to grow up to 12 marijuana 
plants and own 2.5 ounces of "usable marijuana." State police say 
each marijuana plant yields a pound or two of loose marijuana.

Opponents of the proposal argue that there's a lack of evidence that 
the drug has therapeutic effects and are concerned about potential abuse.

"The bill is so open-ended that it is hazardous to people," Madras 
said. "Many people suffer from lower back pain and aches from joints. 
You realize how open to abuse that can be for the public."

Such a policy could result in a number of people telling their doctor 
that nothing else works, just to get the drug, Madras said. 
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