Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 Source: Winfield Daily Courier, The (KS) Copyright: 2013 The Winfield Daily Courier Contact: http://www.winfieldcourier.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5127 Author: John Giffin, Courier Staff Writer MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL INTRODUCED BY HOUSE VISION 20/20 COMMITTEE A motion made by Rep. Gail Finney, D-Wichita, was accepted for a medical marijuana bill similar to HB2330, with revisions, Wednesday morning, according to Kansas for Change Inc.'s Esau Freeman. Senate Bill 9, or the Cannabis Compassion and Care Act, would allow the prescription and use of cannabis for medical purposes in the state of Kansas as well as decriminalize possession of marijuana up to six ounces. SB 9 would also allow up to six cannabis plants to be grown in the home. Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, originally introduced the Cannabis Compassion and Care Act in the Senate. Freeman said the biggest opponent of the bill in the Senate is Sen. Mary Pilcher Cook, R-Shawnee. The motion was seconded by House Vision 20/20 committee vice chair Rep. Vern Swanson, R-Clay Center, and accepted by Vision 20/20 committee chair Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence. Finney sits on the the Vision 20/20 Committee and has spearheaded attempts for medical cannabis legislation. The House Bill 2330 was introduced in 2011 but was never voted on. Freeman said a similar bill was almost passed in 1993 in Kansas. To contact legislators, visit kslegislature.org. To contact Kansas for Change Inc., visit kansasforchange.org - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D