Rell not ruling out support for medical marijuana bill

[Franky]

(Hartford-AP) _ Republican Governor Rell is not ruling out her support of a bill that would legalize the medical use of marijuana.

Rell tells reporters she has mixed emotions about the issue. She says she would want to do anything possible to alleviate someone's pain and suffering.

People who suffer from everything from multiple sclerosis to Lyme Disease have told lawmakers that the drug helps relieve the symptoms of their diseases. But opponents of the bill say it sends the wrong message about drugs to children.

Connecticut already has a medical marijuana law, passed in 1981. It allows a doctor to prescribe the illegal drug to relieve nausea associated with chemotherapy and eye pressure from glaucoma. But the law is unworkable because, under federal law, a physician who prescribes marijuana can be sent to prison and risks having his or her medical license revoked.

Rell suggests somehow allowing doctors to prescribe the drug without fear of arrest. The governor says she has concerns with the current bill, which allows patients with certain diseases to grow up to four plants.

The bill, which cleared the Judiciary Committee last week, awaits further committee action.

[Franky]

(Hartford-AP) _ Republican Governor Rell is not ruling out her support of a bill that would legalize the medical use of marijuana.

Rell tells reporters she has mixed emotions about the issue. She says she would want to do anything possible to alleviate someone's pain and suffering.

People who suffer from everything from multiple sclerosis to Lyme Disease have told lawmakers that the drug helps relieve the symptoms of their diseases. But opponents of the bill say it sends the wrong message about drugs to children.

Connecticut already has a medical marijuana law, passed in 1981. It allows a doctor to prescribe the illegal drug to relieve nausea associated with chemotherapy and eye pressure from glaucoma. But the law is unworkable because, under federal law, a physician who prescribes marijuana can be sent to prison and risks having his or her medical license revoked.

Rell suggests somehow allowing doctors to prescribe the drug without fear of arrest. The governor says she has concerns with the current bill, which allows patients with certain diseases to grow up to four plants.

The bill, which cleared the Judiciary Committee last week, awaits further committee action.

[redibooks]

Isn't it ridiculous that medical marijuana sends kids the "wrong" message but prescription Valium, (etc) doesn't. I don't get the logic..

k

[redibooks]

Isn't it ridiculous that medical marijuana sends kids the "wrong" message but prescription Valium, (etc) doesn't. I don't get the logic..

k

[ladycolorado]

not to mention the horrid advertising of new fangled medicine, prescriptions which have worse side effects then what they are supposed to treat. prescriptions belong in the doctors office and NOT on TV. there are good new medicines i know, but many scare me. here in colorado medical marijuana can happen, i sent off for a packet. yeah, no druggie, but i also hate pain. i have hydrocodone for pain, does little even being number 10's they make me nauseous. i also have been told can make somebody constipated, and of course are addictive. marijuana is not really physically addictive. can be psychologically addictive. (LC)

[ladycolorado]

not to mention the horrid advertising of new fangled medicine, prescriptions which have worse side effects then what they are supposed to treat. prescriptions belong in the doctors office and NOT on TV. there are good new medicines i know, but many scare me. here in colorado medical marijuana can happen, i sent off for a packet. yeah, no druggie, but i also hate pain. i have hydrocodone for pain, does little even being number 10's they make me nauseous. i also have been told can make somebody constipated, and of course are addictive. marijuana is not really physically addictive. can be psychologically addictive. (LC)