Pubdate: Tue, 13 Apr 2010
Source: Boise Weekly (ID)
Copyright: 2010 Boise Weekly
Contact:  http://www.boiseweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4357
Author: Gavin Dahl

COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATIVE HAS MEDICAL MARIJUANA ON HIS MIND

A compassionate Republican legislator plans to introduce new medical 
marijuana legislation during Idaho's 2011 session. If passed, it 
would make Idaho the 15th state in the nation to legalize marijuana 
use for patients with chronic illnesses who are currently forced to 
buy legal medical marijuana out of state and risk bringing it home.

Nearly a year ago, BW published my in-depth look at medical 
marijuana's supporters. Initially, my editor and I wondered if Idaho 
could save money on policing and generate revenue through taxation. 
Turns out, however, that decriminalization, taxation and lowest 
police priority are all off the table.

Tom Trail (R-Moscow) circulated a press release Monday promising to 
dialog with stakeholders for nine months before introducing his 
long-awaited bill next year. His proposal faces an uphill battle, as 
elected evangelicals and many Democrats have been unwilling to stand 
up to 'soft on drugs' pressure. But his approach, pushing for the 
most restrictive MMJ law in the nation, could gain support beyond 
states' rights Libertarians and youth with their heads in the clouds.

Modeling Idaho's plan after New Jersey's and carefully blocking 
loopholes exploited in other states, Trail hopes to quell the fears 
from law enforcement and state officials who puffed up their rhetoric 
the last time he mentioned it. The key this round is only allowing 
legal access for patients diagnosed with specific, severe illnesses 
like cancer, AIDS, Lou Gehrig's disease, muscular dystrophy, glaucoma 
and multiple sclerosis.

The personable Ag Committee Chairman promises growing and 
distribution will be monitored by the state. Though his recent hemp 
efforts went nowhere, he knows the ins and outs of regulating 
agriculture. Meanwhile, patients would be limited to just two ounces 
of herb per month and forbidden from growing their own, or rolling it 
up in public.

While he is not looking to pass the pipe to recreational marijuana 
users, or promising to line the pockets of the sober folks in charge 
of Idaho's budget, he is angling for thumbs up from the Department of 
Health and Welfare and the Idaho Medical Association.  Ultimately, 
his proposal makes clear who this is about.  Trail is trying to help 
his suffering constituents.  From the press release:

Rep. Trail was approached over a year ago by several constituents who 
suffered from chronic health conditions--brain cancer, glaucoma and 
other severe health conditions. They receive prescriptions from their 
doctors and have them filled in Washington State.  One constituent, 
who has multiple sclerosis, said his doctors have recommended 
marijuana to treat neuralgia, which causes him to lose the feeling 
and use of his right arm and shoulders. The M.S. Society has shown 
that this drug will help slow the progression of the disease. Rep. 
Trail has talked to many doctors who support this type of legislation. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake