Pubdate: Wed, 11 May 2011 Source: Newark Post (DE) Copyright: 2011 Newark Post Contact: http://www.newarkpostonline.com/forms/letters/ Website: http://www.newarkpostonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1013 MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL PASSES SENATE In a lopsided 17-4 vote, the Delaware State Senate gave a final OK to a House-revised version of the medical marijuana bill and sent it to Gov. Jack Markell. "I'm grateful that my fellow senators have acted in the interest of our fellow citizens who are suffering terribly from some horrific diseases," said Senate Majority Whip Margaret Rose Henry, D-Wilmington East. "I am grateful to Gov. Markell for his support of this legislation." Markell praised Henry for her leadership on the issue. "I've heard from so many people who are suffering from things, like cancer, that Margaret Rose Henry's bill would be very helpful," said Gov. Jack Markell. "I think she deserves a lot of credit for pushing it." Under the bill, people 18 years of age or older who are suffering from chronic or debilitating conditions, such as cancer, AIDS or multiple sclerosis or are suffering ill effects from chemotherapy would be eligible to use medical marijuana - if their doctor believes it would ease their suffering and other treatment options have proven ineffective. The bill contains safeguards aimed at curbing what is known as "doctor shopping" by requiring doctors who recommend marijuana as a treatment to have a longstanding relationship with their patients. Starting next year, 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 authorizes the establishment of labs that would certify that the marijuana has not been tainted by dangerous chemicals. Patients would be able to receive up to 6 ounces of marijuana monthly. The House further tightened the bill by requiring compassion centers distribute the marijuana in tamper-proof containers and by specifically banning its use in vehicles. Noah Mamber of the National Marijuana Policy Project, which lobbies for medical marijuana laws around the country, said the legislation sets a standard for other states to copy. "This is one of the most comprehensive, most tightly regulated laws in the country," he said. "It's incredibly thoughtful and forward thinking. I think the nation will look to us in the future as a model bill." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.