Pubdate: Wed, 28 Apr 2004
Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Copyright: 2004 Associated Press
Author: Noreen Gillespie, Associated Press Writer

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL CLEARS HURDLE

Hartford,  Conn. -- A bill that would allow seriously ill people to
grow and smoke marijuana cleared one major legislative hurdle
Wednesday, but now faces another.

The House of Representatives voted 75-71 to approve an amendment that
would let those with cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and other serious
illnesses use the drug to relieve nausea and other symptoms, with a
doctor's written permission.  It was the first time the measure passed
the House.

But lawmakers sent the main bill to another committee for approval
before a final vote. With the state budget and several other items
still remaining on the legislative agenda, it is uncertain whether the
issue will be addressed again before the legislature adjourns next
Wednesday.

Lawmakers debated the proposal for about two hours Wednesday. Rep.
James Abrams, D-Meriden, said he would pare the bill down to simplify
it next year if it does not pass before the end of the legislative
session.

"I consider today a victory," Abrams said.

Rep. Penny Bacchiochi, R-Somers, told lawmakers how she risked arrest
to obtain marijuana 20 years ago for her husband, who died after a
fight with bone cancer. After having surgery to remove a tumor from
his spine, he endured side effects from chemotherapy and radiation
that were not relieved by other medications.

She said the bill would also relieve caregivers of the fear of being
prosecuted for helping their loved ones.

"It's a huge burden to have that kind of fear when you're doing the
only thing you can do in that situation," she said.

Connecticut passed a law in the early 1980s to allow physicians to
prescribe marijuana to help patients with pain and nausea. But state
doctors never have, because its use is illegal under federal law.

Under the proposed law, patients and their primary caregivers would be
allowed to keep as many as five plants and one usable ounce of
marijuana. But lawmakers said that regulation would conflict with
federal guidelines, because obtaining marijuana is still illegal.

"We cannot set this bad precedent by passing a law that in order to
avail yourself of, you must break another one," said Rep. Lawrence
Cafero, R-Norwalk.

Eight states - Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada,
Oregon and Washington - have laws protecting seriously ill patients
who use medical marijuana with their doctor's recommendations.

The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee could take up the bill as
soon as Thursday. Committee Co-chairwoman Andrea Stillman,
D-Waterford, said the panel would address the bill, but she
anticipated a close vote.

"It was a victory, but it was a symbolic victory," said Neal Levine,
director of state policies for the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana
Policy Project.

But the progress was encouraging, he said.

"Regardless of what happens at this point, there is absolutely
positive momentum behind this bill," he said.

If the bill clears the House, its supporters were not sure how much
support it would have in the Senate or whether the Senate would
discuss it at all.
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