Pubdate: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 Source: Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT) Copyright: 2007 MediaNews Group, Inc Contact: http://www.connpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/574 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Rell (Governor Rell) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) RELL'S MARIJUANA VETO WAS UNFORTUNATE Gov. M. Jodi Rell's veto Tuesday that would have allowed residents with certain specified illnesses to alleviate intense pain and debilitating symptoms through the use of marijuana is truly unfortunate. Certainly, Rell raised valid points in her veto message about legal accessibility to obtaining marijuana seeds or plants and monitoring use of the drug by approved patients. However, there is the larger question that is paramount of helping relieve pain for a relatively small percentage of the populace with seriously debilitating illnesses such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. The vetoed bill would have allowed residents over 18 with specific debilitating medical conditions to grow and use four marijuana plants after winning a doctor's approval and registering with the state. This is an issue that the individual states must take the lead on. Twelve already have and we hoped that progressive Connecticut would have been a leader after debating this issue for the past five years at the state Capitol. No doubt, the real solution to this problem resides with Congress, but in recent years Congress has become so divided and politicized that it's a chore to even get annual spending bills approved into law, much less a lesser issue such as this. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake