Pubdate: Fri, 08 Feb 2002
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2002 The Washington Post Company
Contact:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Daniel LeDuc
Cited: Marijuana Policy Project (www.mpp.org)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA EFFORT GAINS CLOUT

Proponents of legalizing marijuana for pain relief in Maryland have won 
their strongest support yet with at least three proposals pending in the 
House, including one backed by several legislative leaders.

Del. Donald E. Murphy (R-Baltimore County) introduced legislation yesterday 
to legalize the use of marijuana for patients who get a written 
recommendation from their doctors and a special identification card from 
the state health department.

His co-sponsors include House Majority Leader Maggie L. McIntosh 
(D-Baltimore) and the GOP House leadership. Proponents said that Murphy, 
with 47 co-sponsors, has set a national record for most co-sponsors of a 
medical marijuana bill.

Another proposal, sponsored by Del. Dana Lee Dembrow (D-Montgomery), would 
not legalize medicinal marijuana but would allow people criminally charged 
with smoking the drug to offer medical treatment as a defense at their 
trials. Still another proposal, from Del. Thomas E. Hutchins (R-Charles), 
who is a retired Maryland State Police trooper, would not legalize 
medicinal marijuana but would require judges to take into account at 
sentencing if a person was using it as a painkiller.

Politicians have typically shied away from endorsing medical marijuana, but 
Murphy said, "It's an election year, and nobody's bailed out on me."

He said an Arscott/Gonzales Research and Communications poll released last 
month was influential in gathering support. The poll found that 37 percent 
of voters statewide would be more likely to support a candidate who favors 
medical marijuana while 18 percent said they would not support such a 
candidate.

Eight states allow marijuana to be used for medical treatment, according to 
the Marijuana Policy Project. They are Alaska, California, Colorado, 
Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
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MAP posted-by: Beth