Pubdate: Sun, 17 May 2009
Source: Staten Island Advance (NY)
Copyright: 2009 Advance Publication Inc.
Contact:  http://www.silive.com/advance/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/646
Author: Judy L. Randall
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

ISLAND SENATOR IS BEHIND PUSH FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Savino's Position Tied To Her Experience With Both Parents' Battles 
With Terminal Cancer

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- When state lawmakers vote on legalizing 
medical marijuana later this month, state Sen. Diane Savino expects 
to be front and center in favor.

After all, Ms. Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn) is a bill co-sponsor.

But her support is less about the political and more about the 
personal: She believes her late parents -- both of whom "died young" 
of cancer -- would have benefited from it, saying it would have 
alleviated the great pain they were in.

"No question about it," said Ms. Savino. "They were in chronic pain. 
Morphine didn't work. You get to the point where nothing works. If 
marijuana is going to provide some sort of relief, then let them have it."

Ms. Savino's father, Alexander, was 53 when he died in 1990; her 
mother, Diane, 61, when she died in 1998.

But it looks like Ms. Savino has her work cut out for her when it 
comes to convincing her fellow Staten Island lawmakers to vote in 
favor. Only Assemblyman Matthew Titone (D-North Shore) said he plans 
to do so, calling it a "matter of compassion." He said his late 
mother, Margaret, who died of cancer in March at the age of 79, could 
have benefited from its palliative powers.

The Senate bill -- there's a companion piece in the Assembly -- would 
give seriously ill patients the ability to purchase the drug through 
a registered dispensing facility with a physician's OK. Proponents 
say scientific research has shown the use of marijuana can lessen the 
pain that comes with debilitating illnesses. They also point out that 
users would have to register with the state Health Department and be 
permitted to have no more than 2 1/2 ounces at a time.

But Island opponents point out that the sale of marijuana is against 
federal law, and note the legislation does not address the illegality 
of selling it. Set to vote against it are: State Sen. Andrew Lanza 
(R-Staten Island); Assemblyman Lou Tobacco (R-South Shore); 
Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island) and Assemblywoman Janele 
Hyer-Spencer (D-Mid-Island/Brooklyn) -- even though she said her 
father Jerry, who died in 2007 of cancer at age 69, might have 
benefited from its "medicinal" properties.

"The bill has a component that the buyer can purchase the marijuana 
and not be liable," said Ms. Hyer-Spencer. "But there is no way for 
the state of New York to say we are not going to prosecute. The 
seller is always going to be held liable criminally on a federal 
level. So you have to start at the federal level."

"According to federal law, it is illegal for any purpose," said 
Tobacco. "I don't think state law can usurp federal law. I would be 
open to reviewing it after Congress reviews it."

But until and unless that happens, said Cusick, "You would be buying 
it from someone who is selling it illegally."

"My concern is, where is it coming from?" said Lanza. "Who allows it 
to be prescribed? For what illness? Under the bill as it's offered, 
you could get up to 12 plants. That seems like an awful lot. It 
should be held to the same standard as other powerful painkillers."

"While I could be supportive of it for medicinal use, if it can be 
helpful," added Lanza, "I am concerned because I don't want there to 
be legislation that, intentionally or not, turns this into a Trojan 
Horse for decriminalization."

But Ms. Savino said that should not be a concern.

"The law would provide for the dissemination and use to be heavily 
controlled," she said. "We are not talking about people buying it on 
the street."

The bottom line, said Ms. Savino, is trying to alleviate the pain of 
those who are sick and suffering: "After a while whatever they give 
you stops working. Chemotherapy is hard on the body. There is nausea, 
vomiting, fatigue. This is something that provides respite. The 
chemical components (of marijuana) have also been shown to ease 
anxiety. It doesn't have to be smoked; it can be ingested. 
Traditional medical treatments don't provide the relief people need."

"I think we have significant support for this legislation," she added.

So far two states have approved its use, Massachusetts and Michigan.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom