The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
A breast cancer survivor and others spoke out on behalf of Del. Harvey Morgan's effort to expand the use of marijuana for medical purposes Wednesday, but a key House Republican said that bill - and a companion measure to decriminalize possession of small amounts of the drug - will soon go up in flames.
Both proposals have generated more reaction, good and bad, than any other bill he's carried in 31 years as a lawmaker, said Morgan, a Republican from Gloucester. While he said the response has been largely positive, he doubts either will pass.
"In a political campaign, if somebody points a figure at you to say, 'You voted to liberalize marijuana laws,' it's hard to respond to that," Morgan said. "And I think that governs some people."
Morgan said he is ready to bear the political cost in the name of an "honest, reasoned, compassionate and sensible approach to drug policy."
One of his proposals, HB1134, would make possessing a small amount of marijuana a civil offense that carries a $500 fine rather than a criminal charge. It also would remove mandatory sentences for distributing certain quantities of the drug and specify that an individual can possess five marijuana plants for personal use without necessarily being considered a drug dealer.
The other bill, HB1136, would clear the way for doctors to prescribe marijuana to treat maladies other than cancer and glaucoma - the only two currently allowed under state law - if it is permitted by the federal government.
"I'm going to kill that in about a millisecond in my committee," said Del. David Albo, a Fairfax County Republican who chairs the House Courts of Justice Committee.
Albo said he thinks Morgan's true motive is to allow people with past convictions for marijuana possession to clear their records so they're not blocked from certain types of employment. Morgan has unsuccessfully carried legislation for that purpose in past years.
Morgan, a pharmacist by trade, was joined at a news conference Wednesday by two professors of pharmacology and toxicology from Virginia Commonwealth University's medical school, who spoke in support of the medical marijuana bill.
Surry County resident Beth Fratarcangelo said that when she underwent chemotherapy after a mastectomy, smoking marijuana soothed the severe nausea that patients often experience.
Morgan said decriminalizing pot possession would save Virginia millions of dollars every year on law enforcement, court and correctional costs.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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NoNoNoNo!!
If I want to smoke hemp in my home as an adult why would I be happy with the notion that I could be charged $500 for doing so? This bill is as ludicrous as the current laws that neglect rights I should hold as a citizen of the United States. Legalize the plant. There is no other sensible direction to take.
Burger King to Start Selling Beer?
The latest news is that Burger King will be selling beer-starting in Florida, Nevada and California.
If Burger King plays/pays thier cards right with ABC-we'll be able to buy a whopper and a beer in the near future.
We went thru prohibition to finally allow alcohol-then we taxed it, as well as denied sales to minors. So? We owe China a Trillion dollars, we don't have money for a health care system, we would like more police, firemen and health care workers...and pot revenues in California are to the tune of 3.5 billion dollars?
I don't know-maybe I'm confused as to how an additional 1-3 billion dollars would hurt each state, which I would LOVE to see override federal law and start generating income from MJ legalization itself. Think the Feds would have something to say if states did this and didn't "kick back"? As the governor from Alaska would say "You Betcha"!
Legalize, then tax, then spend to fix what is broken in this country..and hire American Citizens to work at fixing our infrastructure!
A Level Headed Approach
Del. Harvey's proposal is an excellent suggestion. The heavy hand with which we have treated petty drug offenses perpetuates class stratification. We have made hardened criminals out of the urban and suburban youth and young adults for offenses that, committed by priviledged youth would often go unprosecuted (or unpursued).
The laws making marijuana illegal were reactionary, as were the mandatory sentences for what should have been petty drug offenses. It is time Virginia and the nation reconsidered its approach to drug laws, especially with respect to marijuana. In this case there is medical benefit, little possible harm to society, and existing legislation protecting us from public intoxication.
I hope our legislature can overcome the stigma we have assigned to marijuana and give this Bill honest consideration.
Va. being the Common-wealth that it is
Va. being the common wealth that it is ,is not going to be in a hurry to do anything that's going to help the common person,only the wealthy.Now there is 14 states in the country and the Distric (D.C) that has made it legal to posses medical marijuna.Doctors and researchers have found that ir definatelydoes help people with certain medical problems. I am one of those people that it will help.But because the drug companies put so much money in politicians pockets to keep money in their pockets by keepping us on their drugs,the politicians are not going to help us.Come tcheck out the Marijuana Policy Project at MPP.org.Those interested can find out who the lawmakers are that you need to contact,where to contact them and keep up on the progress and other info.
I'VE SAID IT BEFORE & I'LL SAY IT AGAIN...
I would rather drive on the same road any day with someone who had been smoking pot as opposed to someone who had been drinking! There is absolutely no comparison! Now would be a better time than ever to change the laws and stop wasting taxpayer money trying to enforce marijuana laws. We are in the midst of a recession and in need of funding for so many other IMPORTANT things it is truly tragic we continue to waste millions of dollars on something so stupid. As many others have stated before, legalize it and tax it. Sounds like a no brainer to me!!!!!
Legalize, Tax and Marginalize
Use the model we used on cigarettes. If we legalize, we better control the growth and distribution as well as the contents of the product. As time passes, we can better illustrate the health effect and continue to marginalize it as an unhealthy habit. At least we capture dollars through every aspect of the market and put the money to better use in schools, public services, and other endeavors for the better good.
Jobs
Muggles- this isn't about police officers losing jobs, its about allowing them to focus on more important things, like dangerous drugs, drunk drivers, guns, gangs, murder, rape, actual public safety issues.
Personal property?
Where does Albo get off talking about "his" committee? Does he think that he is elected just so he can inflict his own personal views on the rest of the state (excuse me, Commonwealth)? Is "government with the consent of the governed" just a schoolbook phrase to him? Does he own the rest of the committee members?
As far as I know, we elect our legislators to represent the wishes of the ciizens.
One of the tenets of our legislators should be "Informed decisions", NOT personal preference.
Jobs
Why Would Morgan want to keep people from getting jobs? This sounds like a person who should be voted out of office as soon as possible.
Alchohol is The Problem
We are fighting a losing war on drugs. We spend millions of dollars trying to keep people from smoking pot.
But the State sells booze!! In State owned stores!! 7 days a week!!
With drunk drivers killing people every day in Virginia (two more just yesterday) why does the State continue to sell liquor??