Pubdate: Sat, 02 Apr 2011 Source: Newark Post (DE) Contact: http://www.newarkpostonline.com/forms/letters/ Copyright: 2011 Newark Post Website: http://www.newarkpostonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1013 Referenced: SB 17 http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/LIS146.nsf/vwLegislation/SB+17?Opendocument Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.) Bookmark: http://www.drugsense.org/cms/geoview/n-us-de (Delaware) DELAWARE STATE SENATOR SAYS MEDICAL POT BILL WAS PASSED WITHOUT ADVICE FROM MEDICAL SOCIETY OR ATTORNEY GENERAL One downstate Delaware senator is unhappy with the passage of the medical marijuana bill, saying that the legislative body did not seek advice from other sources. Sen. Joe Booth (R-Georgetown) , wrote in a release that the Senate's process was severely lacking. "There was no input or testimony before the Senate from the Attorney General, nor from the Medical Society of Delaware." "The legislation also appears to be contrary to written federal law about controlled substances, and that conflict was not resolved to my satisfaction." "There were numerous questions about enforcement of various aspects of the law that were left unanswered, or were brushed off with 'Oh, that will be taken care of when they write the regulations'. "I am not convinced that a thorough enough job was done to adapt this 'national model' legislation to work in Delaware." Senator Booth is one of three downstate Republican senators to vote against the bill, which passed with 18 votes. Senate Majority Whip Margaret Rose Henry, D-Wilmington East, said she thinks the lop-sided vote that is a good omen or her legislation as it moves to the House of Representatives. "I think everyone was looking at what would happen in the Senate and I'm extremely gratified that 17 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle stood with me and saw the need to offer this medicine to help alleviate the suffering of our fellow citizens," said Henry. "I hope the cries of help from those patients touch my friends in the House as deeply as they touched us. I'm sure this will generate the same kind of debate in the House as we saw but, if we do not lose sight of the patients and their needs, I'm confident we'll get this law passed." Among those patients was Daniel Palomino of Claymont, a retired Air Force officer, who told senators that marijuana was the most effective drug he found to offset the pain of surgery and chemotherapy. "I thought it was a triumph of the politics of hope over the politics of fear," he said after the vote. "It was humbling to be a part of this. I'm proud to be a part of it and it just shows that there's room for the rule of law and for compassion in this chamber. I'm very proud of our Legislature today." If the House passes the bill in its current form and is signed by Gov. Jack Markell, people 18 years of age and older who are diagnosed with chronic or debilitating conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, or who are suffering ill effects of chemotherapy would be eligible for medical marijuana - if their doctor thinks it would ease their suffering and has decided other medications are ineffective. Henry's bill aims at limiting what is known as "doctor shopping" by requiring a doctor who recommends medical marijuana to have a long relationship with their patient. Patients, or their designated caregivers, would obtain the drug at one of three compassion centers authorized in the bill. Those centers would be operated as non-profits and would be tightly regulated by the state. The bill also requires the state to run lab tests on marijuana to certify it has not been tainted by dangerous chemicals. Patients would be able to receive up to 6 ounces of marijuana monthly. The bill carries more restrictions than laws in states such as California, where critics claim those without major medical problems can obtain medical marijuana. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake