Two bills allowing for seriously ill patients to use marijuana as a part of their medical treatment have been recently introduced in Wyoming and Arkansas.
In Wyoming, Senate File 99 would allow patients who possess a doctor’s recommendation to use marijuana to treat cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, a chronic or debilitating disease, cachexia, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, muscle spasms, multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease. The legislation would allow for the cultivation of marijuana by patients.
“It is extremely shortsighted to step between the doctor and the patient,” said Sen. Keith Goodenough, (D-Casper), who introduced the bill. “If a person is dying and becomes ‘addicted,’ is that a problem?”
The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Goodenough has been asked by the committee to draft amendments to control and supply marijuana to patients.
Committee member Sen. Rae Lynn Job, (D-Rock Springs), spoke in favor of the bill despite the committee’s request to amend the bill to account for distribution to patients. “I have known people who have had these conditions, and I would give them anything,” Sen. Job said. “I would rather try to fix something than throw it out.”
In Arkansas, House Bill 1303, introduced by Rep. Jim Lendall (D-District 52), would allow patients who possess a doctor’s recommendation and who have registered with the state, to cultivate and use marijuana to treat cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, a chronic or debilitating disease, cachexia, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, muscle spasms, multiple sclerosis or any other debilitating disease.
Patients can possess up to three mature marijuana plants, four immature marijuana plants and one ounce of usable marijuana per each mature plant. Medical marijuana bills have already been introduced this year in Texas, Connecticut and South Dakota. The South Dakota bill, was killed in committee on Wednesday.
Medical marijuana bills are expected to be introduced shortly in Maryland, Florida and New Mexico.
“Legislators across the country are beginning to listen to their constituents, who favor the medical use of marijuana by large majorities,” said Keith Stroup, NORML Executive Director. “We are expecting several new states will approve medical marijuana this session.”
For more information, please contact Keith Stroup, NORML Executive Director at (202) 483-5500. For more information on pending legislation, please visit, http://capwiz.com/norml2.
