UPDATED: House approves medical marijuana bill

By GARRY RAYNO
State House Bureau

Published Mar 21, 2013 at 3:00 am (Updated Mar 20, 2013)

CONCORD — After years of trying, proponents of medical marijuana received a boost Wednesday when the House voted overwhelmingly, 286-64, in support of establishing a New Hampshire program.
House Bill 573 allows the terminally and chronically ill or those with debilitating conditions to use marijuana to help relieve their conditions.
Proponents say this will help many people who now suffer needlessly because other medications fail to relieve them of the pain and suffering of terminal illnesses.
Rep. Donald "Ted" Wright, R-Tuftonborough, said his wife used marijuana to combat the side effects of a drug that essentially cured her of breast cancer.
She participated in a clinical trial and was told she would have to stop taking the drug, even though it was working, because the nausea and vomiting were causing her to lose too much weight.
She tried marijuana and it solved her problem instantly, Wright said. "This is a tightly crafted bill that will help those patients that really need it," Wright said.
'Drug-soaked culture'
But opponents, such as the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police and some medical officials, say legal medical marijuana is a problem for law enforcement officials, who have trouble distinguishing between recreational and medical users.
They also said debate on the subject tends to make the drug more acceptable and will lead to more widespread use of marijuana and other controlled drugs.
Rep. John Cebrowski, R-Bedford, said there are better drugs than marijuana to address side effects. He said the program would stretch law enforcement in the state and would encourage young people to use marijuana and other illegal drugs.
"I believe in compassionate care through good medicine, not bad medicine ... not home-grown deliveries," he said.
"America is currently a drug-soaked culture with both prescription and illegal drugs. This exacerbates the problem. I do not want to be part of the cultural and social disintegration of our state."
Tight controls
Rep. Stephen Schmidt, R-Wolfeboro, heads a sub-committee of the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee to revise the bill. He said the program would be the most tightly controlled in the country.
"This bill will only assist 600 to 800 patients; that is the universe we are talking about," Schmidt said "This will not be the California experience of a head shop on every corner."
He said the program is intended to help people who are in great pain, suffering from their diseases and not responding to traditional medicine.
The governor's position
Gov. Maggie Hassan has said she supports medical marijuana, but has not said what she would do with the current bill.
Her communications director, Marc Goldberg, said: "The governor believes any measure permitting the use of medically prescribed marijuana must ensure that the method of distribution is safe and tightly regulated and has concerns about the ability to properly regulate a home-grow option, but she will continue to listen to the concerns of advocates, law enforcement and legislators as the process moves forward."
After the vote, Matt Simon, a legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project, said: "This overwhelming vote comes as a great relief to patients who have been waiting years to legally follow their doctors' advice. Patients should not have to live in fear of arrest in the 'Live Free or Die' state, and it's a great relief for them to see such strong, bipartisan support from the House."
Illness and symptoms
The bill lists illnesses that qualify, such as cancer, glaucoma, AIDS and hepatitis C, and the permissible conditions — such as significant weight loss, severe pain or wasting syndrome — for a patient to qualify for medical marijuana. Patients would have to have both the illness and symptoms.
Patients would be allowed to grow up to three marijuana plants and 12 seedlings or purchase up to six ounces of the drug at dispensaries.
But the bill does not protect patients who drive under the influence of the drug, nor does it protect anyone from prosecution under federal law.
The program would serve only New Hampshire residents; someone would have to be a doctor's patient for three months before he or she could qualify. Bill drafters say that would end the doctor-shopping other states have experienced.
The bill establishes an advisory committee to make a recommendation to the legislature if the program should continue after five years. The bill now goes to the Senate for action.
A similar bill passed the House and Senate last year, but was vetoed by former Gov. John Lynch.
grayno@unionleader.com

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Gladys Kravitz said:

"But opponents, such as the New Hampshire Association of Police Chiefs and some medical officials, say legal medical marijuana is a problem for law enforcement officials who have trouble distinguishing between recreational and medical users." ... well they have to distinguish people being under the influence in all types of situations. Ask for their medical card. How hard is it to ask?? More smoke and mirrors.
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Evan Pritchard said:

Thank you, New Hampshire. What is the next step?
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George LeMont said:

I wish these leaders would be HONEST about their real intentions just once. The constant lies about why they pass laws is getting old and has me feeling like trusting my government is a fools game, when their lies in their minds justifies their goals. And those goals seem to be more money for them to spend no matter what the cost to the rest of us. It's for the children. It's for the patients. It's for the women. It's to save the planet. God people today are dumb.
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Harrison Brown said:

Just think of the revenue NH could rake in if Gambling & Marijuana were legal!
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DANIEL ZIKKING said:

So now thext step is. approval so as I won't have to worry about my PSD condition from the Nam. With a permit for marijuana. A doctors permit will be nice for me. I don't drive endangering others. I don't threaten others. I just want relief and be left alone. PREIOD!
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Paul Lundwall said:

I strongly doubt that doctors are going to write prescriptions for marijuana. I am 99% sure if I ware to ask any of my doctors about using it they would dismiss me from being a patient.
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John Mercier said:

Noreen Lessard... Doesn't mean that doctors are going to be willing to write prescriptions. George LeMont... This bill doesn't equate to more undedicated funds.
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SANDRA PICARD said:

I do hope that smoking pot will NOT be allowed in public places since I don't care to have that nasty stuff waffed in my face. I also hope that it will be taxed to hilt.
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lloyd clement said:

New Hampshire is becoming a fools paradise.
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Greg Barrett said:

How much more bipartisan and lopsided can any vote be? Just legalize it outright and tax it in the same way we do booze and cigs.
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Kenneth Dye said:

If this comes to pass what risks might doctors face if they choose to prescribe this "medicine"? Could they be prosecuted for distribution under federal law even if they aren't actually the sellers? I have said before that marijuana should probably be de-criminalized and for many good reasons ( I won't bore you by listing them again) but it is still a useless exercise until laws are changed at the federal level. I think it is also unlikely that legalization at the state (or maybe any) level will change pre-employment drug screening policies. On a side note, does anyone else find it amusing that law enforcement groups find marijuana to be a more serious issue than alcohol and concerned that it will lead to other crimes yet state that a casino will have no more issues or lead to any more serious trouble than a shopping mall would? Some jokes just tell themselves.
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Kevin Craig said:

Opponents say "legal medical marijuana is a problem for law enforcement officials, who have trouble distinguishing between recreational and medical users". So, they don't have a problem with medicinal use? If they don't, but can't tell the difference between medicinal and recreational use, then why do they have a problem with recreational use?
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John Forrest said:

I think that if we can get good, clean organic marijuana at a lower cost to some of the thousands of SSDI recipients who are on the federal medicaid dole, it may save us a ton of money. And then let's follow with getting rid of marijuana possession as a crime and that may even free us enough police officers to address rape, domestic violence and traffic deaths, without having to pay them overtime to do it. And finally, it may eliminate the need for the infamous and manpower waste, Drug Task Force as well as narcotics units in every agency. Perhaps they could then concentrate on the sale of taxpayer funded prescription drugs in the public by people who get us to pay their housing, food, school lunch, medical costs and drugs, but sell their drugs to make money for whatever else it is they need that the taxpayers are not paying for...yet.
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John Labonte said:

I have no problem with legitimately sick sick people receiving something like marijuana any more than I do the opiates they do now as pain relievers. But I do think that allowing them to "grow their own" is incredibly stupid. Would you let them grow their own opium poppies and build their own labs to process it? if it's going to be prescribed by a doctor then let it come from a pharmacy like every other prescription/controlled drug. If they are growing plants at home, how long do you think it will be before a teenage relative is over there snipping off leaves? "oops grandma, I guess a mouse must have eaten that plant. Lets start another one, I'll help since your not feeling well". Controlled drugs need to be just that...controlled, even when available to the sick.
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Len Cannon said:

@John Mercier: "Doesn't mean that doctors are going to be willing to write prescriptions" You're kidding, right? Just look at any state which has legalized medical pot. There is no problem finding a sympathetic doctor. Before Colorado went all the way and just legalized all use of it, 50% of the population of Boulder had a prescription for some affliction or other. This is just the first step towards the actual goal of this legislature. It is just like civil unions to gay marriage... one step at a time. It is funny though, seeing civil Libertarians in bed with socialists on an issue.
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paul cote said:

Let me get this straight. The casino is going to cause problems.. amazing
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Peter Hudson said:

This is a common sense bill and hurrah to NH for passing it, finally allowing adults to be treated like adults... Of course Big Pharm will shout it down and use the Police in their little corner to say how horrible MJ is. If a person is employed in the Public Trust, then no way - it will not be allowed. Regulate it, tax it and if a person is under its influence which leads to the causing of an incident - then hammer them to the fullest extend of the law... But allow adults to be treated as adults. Leave the People alone, let them enjoy some peace and the NH way of life. Its on the NH State License Plate in case you were wondering where I thought that up...
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Paul Stafford said:

John you get the cookie for silly post of the day. You don't smoke the weed leaf, you pick the buds and let it dry out and cure for a couple weeks. If he can't smoke Granny's weed what's to stop him from taking sips from her bottle of Dr. McGillicuddy's and filling it up with water? Or what's to stop him from spraying Granddaddy's gold spraypaint into a bag and huffing it away? Or drinking a whole bottle of robitussin. If a kid wants to get twisted up he will. You might think your positions on drug laws make you some sort of social do gooder. If marijuana had been COMPLETELY legalized ten years ago, your life would be absolutely no different than it is today. It would still **** for you.The only difference would be that if heaven forbid you got sick, or had a mental disorder, you would be allowed yo grow your own medicine, rather than having to spend hundreds of dollars on pills that the drug companies can't even advertise without half the commercial being a warning. You Really Have A Problem With That John? Unbelievable. Your silly hypothetical scenario is not a reason to keep sick people from receiving a drug that can slow, stop, or reduce the symptoms of an illness. Did I mention my neck hurts real bad? Who do I talk to about that?
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John Mercier said:

Len Cannon... I'm sure that there will be some doctor shopping on the subject; but the bill as written is pretty extensive. So a single doctor, or even a small group, would end up being investigated to the hilt. John Labonte... The bill doesn't allow them to grow their own. paul cote... Actually the State Troopers and Police Associations claimed that the casino wouldn't cause problems and this would - of course, they aren't receiving any funding from this bill.
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FRANK DEFILIPPI said:

Only a fool of a doctor would write a prescription for a drug that is still illegal to the feds. and risk loosing their medical license.
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lloyd clement said:

John Mercier: Read this and tell us that medical marijuana isn't a problem:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/05/california-medical-marijuana-ban_n_2626412.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/world/americas/09iht-pot.1.13565173.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
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Bill Brasky said:

lloyd clement: Read the article above and you will realize that New Hampshire's Medical Marijuana will be very different from the California version! You are clearly part of the group that thrives on misinformation.
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John Mercier said:

Bill Brasky... I don't think that he has read the NH bill.
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lloyd clement said:

Marijuana legalized will bring the corruption that goes along with it. It is illegal now and has flourished anyway, you mean that legalization is gonna make it all better and there will be no more illegal use...LOL???? C'mon man, even holland could not make legal drug use work....
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Joseph King said:

So, 600 - 800 people who are in great pain, suffering from sicknesses such as, cancer, glaucoma, AIDS and hepatitis C, and may have significant weight loss or wasting syndrome are left to deal with crappy drugs sold at hyperinflated prices by big business pharma because the police and various other doofusses are scared of a weed that can be ordered online from a quality grower in Colorada, (or grown in a closet). ###Note to self: Lose all respect for New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police and pray for sickness to fall upon them.
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malcolm kyle said:

"C'mon man, even holland could not make legal drug use work...."In May 2012, at least 600 people immediately lost their jobs when all cannabis cafes in three Dutch border provinces were turned into members' only clubs. Hundreds of people were arrested (in one provence alone) for drug offenses. In addition, Maastricht University researchers said that youngsters were being exposed to other drugs because the strict separation between hard and soft drugs no longer applied. There was also a sharp increase in demand for seeds and other equipment required to grow marijuana at home. By the end of October 2012, after it was clear to all that the new restrictive policy had resulted only in increased street-selling and associated criminality, the Dutch sensibly abandoning plans to roll out the 'Wietpas' over the rest of the country.
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malcolm kyle said:

There is no debate: Marijuana is absolutely safer than alcohol, tobacco, and all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, while Prohibition, a costly nightmare that enriches both criminals and corrupt politicians, is a threat to us all. The following text is taken directly from the US government's National Cancer Institute website: * ANTI-TUMOR EFFECTS One study in mice and rats suggested that cannabinoids may have a protective effect against the development of certain types of tumors. During this 2-year study, groups of mice and rats were given various doses of THC by gavage. A dose-related decrease in the incidence of hepatic adenoma tumors and hepatocellular carcinoma was observed in the mice. Decreased incidences of benign tumors (polyps and adenomas) in other organs (mammary gland, uterus, pituitary, testis, and pancreas) were also noted in the rats. In another study, delta-9-THC, delta-8-THC, and cannabinol were found to inhibit the growth of Lewis lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, other tumors have been shown to be sensitive to cannabinoid-induced growth inhibition.Cannabinoids may cause antitumor effects by various mechanisms, including induction of cell death, inhibition of cell growth, and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Cannabinoids appear to kill tumor cells but do not affect their nontransformed counterparts and may even protect them from cell death. These compounds have been shown to induce apoptosis in glioma cells in culture and induce regression of glioma tumors in mice and rats. Cannabinoids protect normal glial cells of astroglial and oligodendroglial lineages from apoptosis mediated by the CB1 receptor. In an in vivo model using severe combined immunodeficient mice, subcutaneous tumors were generated by inoculating the animals with cells from human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell lines. Tumor growth was inhibited by 60% in THC-treated mice compared with vehicle-treated control mice. Tumor specimens revealed that THC had antiangiogenic and antiproliferative effects.
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Bill Brasky said:

llyod clement: You should really start to get your facts and terms straight before you make silly comments. First of all this would be for the legalization of Medical Marijuana. And as stated in the article, would only be allowed for individuals with truly debilitating diseases. That is far from the model in California which is light years ahead of us and well on their way to full legalization of Marijuana. And how exactly is this going to open the door to corruption? With only 5 tightly controlled dispensaries and only an estimated 600-800 patients I don't see where the corruption will tie in. And if you look at all of the surrounding states that have similar laws for Medical Marijuana we don't see wide spread corruption or any other issue there do we.? If you want to worry about corruption maybe you should look at Big Pharmacy and Banks and the payouts to politicians, not people that are looking for relief. And if you really want to call out a piece of legislation that will open the door to corruption, you should start to look into the casino bill. Next thing is that Holland has made it work, and I bet you would be surprised that Marijuana was NEVER legalized there, it was just never enforced. In fact it is not legal anywhere in this world with the exception of Washington and Colorado. Except, as we are seeing, this country has started to lay the foundation for a society where Marijuana is Decriminalized and Legal. But as someone who is obviously against that I would like to hear your reasoning why... I'm sure you like to enjoy an adult beverage from time to time, so let me ask you, what is the difference between alcohol and Marijuana?
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Joseph King said:

lloyd clement, Every once in a while, one of your comments is just so incredibly stoooopid that it begs the question: Are you stoned??? Your comment at 10:57 am was just such a comment! Really Lloyd, I find it hard to believe that a sober adult who has any thoughts on this issue, (regardless of position), could make such an absurd comment. Please tell me you just drew back an enormous bong hit and almost coughed up a lung before composing that thought.
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lloyd clement said:

Malcolm and Kyle: It is funny to read your posts, it is obvious you are following the dangling carrot that is being carried by mice and rats....LOL LOL, too much.
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lloyd clement said:

Joseph King: could you say something intelligent? I did list web sites that explain the corruption that follows with legalized pot. Also, there was a show on A&E about the larger problems with legalized marijuana in Ca. Look at all the rules with alcohol consumption, do you mean there are no problems with it???? Joseph, nearly all of your posts are without historic evaluation and easy to poke holes in.
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Bill Brasky said:

lloyd clement: Once again I must ask you to use the appropriate terms. Marijuana is a complex debate and all you are doing is making your self look like a fool and confusing people that have similar mindsets as yourself.As I stated before this is not the same bill as California, find another crutch to lean on. Second of all what is the documentary on A&E you speak of, I would be interested to hear about these corruption issues they are having.Third of all, Alcohol similar to tobacco is a drug that is proven to be deadly and dangerous to people. Yet they are legal and we regulate and tax those. Meanwhile Marijuana is a naturally occurring plant that has never killed anyone and has the promise of helping with many different ailments. Why is it still illegal? Yes people have issue with alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, and even issues with caffeine. By your train of thought should we criminalize alcohol and tobacco as schedule 1 drugs that are harmful to us, hurt our society and have no medical value. Should we regulate sugar to make sure people only consume certain amounts a day. Where does all of this oversight end?
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Joseph King said:

Ok Lloyd, you want a comment with historic evaluation, so here it is: I knew Bill Brasky! He was the best **** salesman in the office!
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George LeMont said:

Ok you lying liberals here's how it's going to go. In a few years, if that long, when your next move is full legalization in your perverted quest for money to squander and your marijuana ends up in one of my under age siblings hands, I will come to those who created the law and deal with you in person and would encourage every CARING parent to do the same. These people as always are lying about it being for the sick only. Protect your children from your government.
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Joe Cerra said:

Before the House members voted on this, they should have traveled out to CA and see all the "patients" in the parks and other public areas medicating themselves. Take a walk down Venice beach and all you can smell is "medicine" in the air. Looked to me as though the "patients" were the same people that we would call burnouts here. Sad, very sad. This will be abused here just as it is there. When will the strip mall doctors offices open so that you can go in and get a prescription?
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Bill Brasky said:

Joseph King: I'm glad someone picked up on that! George Lemont: What will you do when you find your son/daughter with a bottle of booze or other form of alcohol? What happens when you see them smoking a cigarette? Marijuana is not nearly as dangerous as those substances.Joe Cerra: I have said this a few times already and I will say it again: THIS IS NOT THE SAME LAW AS CALIFORNIA. That comment only proves how ignorant you truly are. While California and Colorado may have issues this is a different bill. Second how offten do you travel to Maine or Vermont and see people smoking on every corner. How about Rhode Island, NJ, Mass?
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George LeMont said:

Bill that is my problem to deal with and the person who gave it to him/her. What will you do when I decide to give your kids heroine?
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Rck Walters said:

Regardless of what Lloyd, George, or anyone else wants to believe or argue, the cultural tide has turned and marijuana will be literally, or effectively legal all across the nation in a short period of time. I do not say this because I necessarily want it to be so, but simply because that is what is happening in American culture. You can fight it, tolerate it, or light up and be somebody--it isn't going to matter.
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Bill Brasky said:

Rck Walters is rightBut George LeMont: Brining heroine into this kind of debate is a completely different topic and completely irrelevant. But by your train of thought we should also make alcohol and tobacco illegal, correct? Because we have learned that prohibition is a great policy!
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rick johnson said:

George you probably shouldn't have contributed to the demise of mankind by having kids. Hopefully heroin will help them deal with rubbish your installing in them. Live and let live.
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George LeMont said:

Gee thanks Richie, your opinion means so much to me.
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George LeMont said:

LOL Bill you bring alcohol into the debate and your brilliant for it. I bring heroine as a response to your comment and mine is irrelevant. What a clown. I'm willing to bet you like your democrat masters would also lie to get your way.
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George LeMont said:

Noreen who said anything about beating someone up? What I find sad is you claiming our children are our responsibility, but apparently don't think our government dealing drugs sends the wrong message. And if you had half as much sense as you want people to think you, you would be outraged at how our leaders lie so much to get things passed. So don't be surprised when they lie to your face one day.
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George LeMont said:

Last comment. The funny part of this are those of you who want it legalized and think that is what your getting from the democrat party. What you are getting is more dependence on government and in the end you fools will get the same taxation and high prices cigarette smokers now get and you're too stoned to think and figure it out or you already joined Bob Dylan and ran out of brain cells. Now there is a poster child for pot, and if he didn't make his money before he smoked too much weed he'd be one more homeless bum living under the train tracks. I've said it a hundred times and I'll say it again. If you want to be free grow your own and I'll support you. But if you give it to a kid, especially mine, I'll be coming for you. I could care less if you want to screw up your life. But I do care when you take others down with you or expect the hard working citizens of this nation to pay for you when it doesn't work out as claimed.
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Paul Stafford said:

Noreen for one thing George said underage siblings, not kids. His ferocity toward defending the well being of his siblings is admirable, and speaks to his strong moral fiber. His siblings are not really his responsibility, and even if they were, all of his guidance can't stop a young mind from wandering and straying from a straight and narrow path that a role model may have led them down. Teaching kids, whether offspring or sibling, about drugs is not enough, and who are you to talk down to him for caring enough about his flesh and blood that he would vaguely threaten holders of public office on a public internet forum. It's not a vendetta, it's big talk about keeping politicians in check. If George and every other passionate patriot really meant what they said, than politicians would fear the consequences of the legislation they passed. Unfortunately George and the other Revolutionaries are only willing to go war over an internet theatre and politicians are free to spend our money how they want with who they want on what they want. Read Gulliver's Travels, the government has been a bunch of lying lawyers for centuries. Every generation just seems to deal with it differently.
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Deb Nelson said:

Some people who use marijuana get "burned out" and some do not. Some people are more susceptible to the negative effects than others. Same as with other drugs (alcohol, tobacco and pharmaceuticals). To say marijuana has "never killed anyone" is as ignorant as those who cry that it will kill us all. Heck, aspirin can kill! The reality is some people will be harmed, whether legal or not, same as with alcohol, guns and tobacco. There is no perfect fix to the problems that are inherent with marijuna, but we should not fear taking a reasonable step forward. Legalize and regulate it.
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John Mercier said:

lloyd clement/George LeMont... You need to read the bill. And George, the Republican Party passed it during the last Legislature also. Governor Lynch vetoed it. Lynch is a Democrat. Noreen Lessard... This bill wouldn't cover your son unless he became a registered medical user with prescription. Paul Stafford... No tax dollars are being spent on the program created under this bill.
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George LeMont said:

Noreen of course we can not verify your claims can we? It's only what you claim to be true. I know plenty of young men and women who are train wrecks and the most important thing in their lives is getting stoned. As a matter of fact they would rather get stoned than save up for a new car, a home, health insurance, or any of the other things the democrats tell them they're entitled too. And if they don't have them the democrats tell them they should hate people who do. I'll stay on my horse and seek and speak the truth. You can enjoy hanging around with the liars in your political party. Just for medical reasons my arse!
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George LeMont said:

John you should know me enough by now to know I could care less about parties. I don't trust the republicans any more than I do the democrats. When Governor Lynch vetoed the bill I thought it was the most independent stand he ever took. But then he also knew at some point another democrat would be in office to get the job done without his name on it. I simply do not like liars and con artists. Civil unions anyone? That's all we really want.
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George LeMont said:

Noreen from now on how about you ask for the toxicology reports on the mass shooters in society or other people who commit crimes and we see how many of them have weed in their systems? The liberal media certainly isn't asking or handing out the data for us to read. It doesn't fit the plan and could mean no money for government dealing drugs.
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George LeMont said:

You don't see government selling and taxing pot as a political issue because that is exactly where this is going to end up? You just keep doing your dance my dear.
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George LeMont said:

Noreen ignorance is thinking legalizing drugs would be a new thing for society. When in fact the nation already went down that road in the second half of the 1800's. You don't think the drug laws were created for no reason and out of thin air do you? And to claim the drug has no long term negative side effects is just down right dishonest. It is people like you who try to deflect the truth and constantly claim pot is some kind of wonder drug. Someone other than the democrat party should do a study on criminals and the insane and see how many test positive for pot use. I would have a problem with it being done by people who think it's the miracle of the modern age because they see lots of money to be made off it.
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Paul Stafford said:

Noreen, really? Every word I spoke was true. John Mercier, you missed the point of what I said. I could care less about paying taxes. What gets my gourd is how my money, and the money of others, is then spent. I would pay double my taxes if I knew or agreed with where it was all spent.
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lloyd clement said:

Bill: The trade alone has killed thousands, so yes, people have died from marijuana.
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Joseph King said:

Lloyd, I apologize for claiming your comment at 10:57 am was stooopid. I was actually referring to your comment at 12:50, the one where you claim that we can't allow the compassionate dispensing of a natural drug to those who are sick, dying and in pain because corruption will follow.### Now, at 10:42 pm you claim the illegal trade has killed thousands and that is how people die from marijuana.### So Lloyd, you admit the illegal trade kills thousands of people and you're probably aware of the corruption and other crime that results from the illegal trade and you've probably heard about the utter failure, despite hundreds of billions spent, of the "war on pot". And yet, when the House overwhelmingly votes to allow our neighbors who are suffering in pain to seek relief without criminal penalty you say they're wrong! Lloyd, I think you an idjit, a simpleton, a knee-JERK.
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Joseph King said:

George, I do not blame you one bit for not trusting the politicians and I understand your belief that this is just the first push down the slippery slope. But, I don't think any of your reasons are good enough to warrant withholding medicine from an extremely ill patient. Sadly, I have seen the toll cancer and modern medicine take on the human body and if marijuana can offer relief there can be NO reason to withhold it, (I believe it is immoral to do so).### As to your young siblings, I have three young teen sons and they can get pot any time they want if they chose to, it is readily available to them if they were to seek it out. Now, I keep them very, very busy with school, sports, music and play and as far as I know, they are drug free and I hope they remain so, we discuss it often. But, when I talk dangerous drugs to them, it is alcohol I worry about most. If they ever go down the road of abuse, they won't be able to blame pot and they won't be able to blame the politicians, just themselves.
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isaiah lee said:

To George Lemont and all that oppose this bill, you all should read about this: http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/07/05/ten-years-after-decriminalization-drug-abuse-down-by-half-in-portugal/ (yes i know this is about decriminalization, not medicinal uses, but it just proves that people like to do things that are "against the rules". Also do you realize how much of your tax money is spent by the government just on fighting marijuana? Dr. Jeffery Miron, an economics professor at Harvard University made a report on that subject. The report said that 7.7 billion dollars would be saved by the legalization of marijuana. And billions would be made off of marijuana if it were taxed like alcohol and cigarettes. Also if you think that marijuana is harder to get your hands on because its illegal, you're in lala land. Through out high school I was able to pick up weed whenever I wanted but I rarely was able to get alcohol. If I did, it was once in a blue moon. Could you imagine if your tax dollars went to something useful? Possibly education? Wouldn't it be nice if you knew your tax dollars weren't going towards a lost cause? Nah most of you are probably way to closed minded/ignorant to realize how much of a failure prohibition is. Also George, I think there should be a study done by "republicans" on law abiding citizens to see how many test positive for pot use. You'd be mind-blown. George it's sad to admit, but you're blind to the facts and reality of this subject.
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UPDATED: House approves medical marijuana bill

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