Pubdate: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 Source: Marianas Variety (US MP) Copyright: 2012 Marianas Variety Contact: http://www.mvariety.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4642 Author: Emmanuel T. Erediano MARIJUANA BILL IS BACK REPRESENTATIVE Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan, is not giving up on marijuana. Once again, he has the support of the House Committee on Natural Resources which recommends the passage of House Bill 17-311 which will legalize medicinal marijuana in the CNMI. Torres's three previous marijuana bills also passed the House, but two of them were "killed" in the Senate while the third one remains pending there. According to the committee report endorsing the passage of his fourth bill, H.B. 17-311, it will provide "an affirmative defense for defendants who have been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition that is severe and resistant to conventional medicine." Aside from the revenue that will be generated from taxes imposed on the sale of medicinal marijuana, the report said the non-incarceration of terminally ill patients is also an "economic side-effect" of legalizing medicinal marijuana. The committee noted that after voters in California legalized medicinal marijuana, 16 other states and the District of Columbia have enacted similar laws. If it becomes law, however, H.B. 17-311 will not defend those who use medical marijuana in public or who possess more than the medically prescribed amount. In a telephone interview yesterday, Torres said he was happy that majority of the committee members supported his bill again. He expressed hope that the House will pass it unanimously. When asked why he is not giving up on the marijuana measure, Torres said a lot of people are waiting for the legalization of medicinal marijuana. "I know that most, if not all, who have sickness have tried it one way or another through other marijuana-based medicines like Valium," he said. His bill, he said will give cancer patients access to the medicine they need. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom