MONTPELIER - The Vermont Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union will go to federal appeals court this week, trying to reverse a lower-court ruling allowing officials at a Vermont school ban images of drugs or alcohol on student clothing. The ACLU will also ask the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York to overturn another lower-court ruling allowing the federal government to conduct random screening of automobiles and luggage on ferries that cross Lake Champlain. The ACLU claims the ferry searches violate passenger rights under the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment protecting against unreasonable search and seizures, while the Williamstown Middletown School's dress code violates a student's First Amendment right to free speech - a political statement that used drug and alcohol images. [continues 641 words]
MONTPELIER -- A marijuana advocacy group on Monday began offering financial assistance to low-income Vermonters who cannot afford to register for the state's new medical-marijuana program. The Vermont Marijuana Policy Project will pay the $100 registration fee for anyone within 150 percent of the federal poverty level who qualifies for the program. Vermont in November became the ninth state to decriminalize the possession and use of marijuana for chronically ill people suffering from certain diseases. In Vermont, people suffering from AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis can possess, grow and consume marijuana with permission from the Department of Public Safety. [continues 195 words]
MONTPELIER - A Washington, D.C., lobbying organization that played a major role in Vermont becoming the ninth state to adopt a medical marijuana law appears to be on a record-setting spending spree. The Medical Marijuana Policy Project on Monday declared that it spent nearly $218,000 during the first half of 2004. That amount approaches the highest known complete-year spending total in Vermont lobbying history. Lobbyists for the Policy Project were constant visitors to the Vermont State House this past winter. [continues 554 words]
MONTPELIER - A bill decriminalizing marijuana for medical use appears headed to the House floor for a vote. The House Health and Welfare Committee on Wednesday voted, 8-3, to allow people suffering with cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis to use marijuana to relieve "severe, persistent and intractable symptoms" like pain and nausea. The vote was bipartisan as three Republicans and five Democrats supported the measure, which is much more restrictive than a medical marijuana bill that passed the Senate last year. [continues 635 words]
MONTPELIER - A bill decriminalizing marijuana for medical use appears headed to the House floor for a vote. The House Health and Welfare Committee on Wednesday voted 8-3 to allow people suffering with cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis to use marijuana to relieve "severe, persistent and intractable symptoms" like pain and nausea. The vote was bipartisan as three Republicans and five Democrats supported the measure, which is much more restrictive than a medical-marijuana bill that last year passed the Senate. [continues 631 words]
MONTPELIER - The two sides of the medical marijuana debate collided here Tuesday, when a supporter of the controversial state legislation loudly interrupted a presentation given by President George W. Bush's deputy drug czar, who was in town to advise local lawmakers on drug policy. The Bush administration strongly opposes decriminalizing marijuana for medical purposes. The protester was among about 60 people who attended Dr. Andrea Barthwell's hour-long public presentation at the Pavilion Building auditorium. He said he was upset that the White House is trying to influence the local debate. [continues 754 words]
MONTPELIER - Key Democrats in the Vermont House are poised to suggest greater restrictions on medical marijuana use than did their Senate counterparts. The House Health and Welfare Committee heard a full day of testimony Wednesday from physicians and law enforcement officials. Two Democrats on the committee said a Senate proposal - which would allow marijuana use by people suffering from severe nausea, seizures and severe pain - might be too broad. They are considering narrowing the proposal to cover only medical conditions that are terminal. They hope the restriction would widen the bill's political appeal to House Republicans and Gov. James Douglas, who oppose the Senate proposal. [continues 609 words]
MONTPELIER - A long awaited legislative showdown over medical marijuana now appears imminent after supporters Wednesday found a way to get a key House committee to take up the controversial issue. The House voted, 79-57, to instruct the Department of Health to study using marijuana as an effective pain-management tool. The vote, which is considered symbolic, shows there is likely significant support among lawmakers to take the next step, which would be allowing physicians to prescribe marijuana for people with serious illnesses, such as cancer or AIDS. [continues 550 words]
