New Bill Sparks Medical Marijuana Debate in Washington
Washington lawmakers say a new bill would help protect medical marijuana patients and providers from arrest.
But some patients say it could make things much worse for them.
Chet Biggerstaff was in an on-the-job accident. he went through several surgeries and was on several medications...but he says medical marijuana saved his life.
"Before i found cannabis I was writing my will, letters to family, I was ready to go. None of the medication they had me on touched it...nothing," says Biggerstaff.
Medical marijuana has been legal in Washington for more than a decade, but some say the law isn't clear enough.
Now lawmakers have introduced a new bill intended to clear things up.
That includes a new licensing system for medical marijuana providers and dispensaries.
Washington among states considering legalizing marijuana, dozens of states weigh other reforms
Washington is one of four states where measures to legalize and regulate marijuana have been introduced, and about two dozen other states are considering bills ranging from medical marijuana to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the herb.
"In terms of state legislatures, this is far and away the most active year that we've ever seen," said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance, which supports reforming marijuana laws.
Nadelmann said that while legalization efforts are not likely to get much traction in state capitals anytime soon, the fact that there is such an increase of activity "is elevating the level of public discourse on this issue and legitimizing it."
"I would say that we are close to the tipping point," he said. "At this point they are still seen as symbolic bills to get the conversation going, but at least the conversation can be a serious one."
Opponents of relaxing marijuana laws aren't happy with any conversation on the topic, other than keeping the drug illegal.
"There's no upside to it in any manner other than for those people who want to smoke pot," said Travis Kuykendall, head of the West Texas High Intensity Drug-Trafficking Area office in El Paso, Texas. "There's nothing for society in it, there's nothing good for the country in it, there's nothing for the good of the economy in it."
Washington: Richland lawmakers want tighter rules on medical marijuana
Two Richland lawmakers have their eyes on medical marijuana in the upcoming legislative session.
Rep. Larry Haler and Sen. Jerome Delvin each are planning legislation that would tighten rules for when marijuana can be used as a medicine.
With the start of the 2010 session about two weeks away, Haler already has prefiled a bill that would restrict when those charged with drug offenses can use medical marijuana as a defense.
According to the state Department of Health, patients with a terminal or debilitating illness are allowed to possess a 60-day supply of marijuana with a written recommendation from a doctor.
The current statute allows those patients to assert a medical marijuana defense when charged with possession of the drug if they can prove they’ve complied with the state’s medical marijuana laws.
