Briefs From The State Capitol
May 15, 2003
Associated Press
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Proponents of a bill that would legalize marijuana for medical use presented a list of more than 250 physicians across Connecticut Wednesday who support the legislation.
A Better Way Foundation, a network of patients, doctors and advocates, planned to hold a news conference at the state Capitol to announce the support. However the group canceled the event after their its speaker, Dr. Judianne Densen-Gerber of Westport, died.
The doctor, who treated drug abuse patients, suffered from breast cancer. Although Densen-Gerber did not use marijuana to help cope with the side effects of chemotherapy, she wrote in an editorial that it is "ridiculous" that she could face up to a year in jail for using the drug or seven years for growing it.
The bill before the legislature awaits action in the House of Representatives.
The legislation builds on an existing 1981 Connecticut law that allows doctors to prescribe marijuana to relieve nausea associated with chemotherapy and eye pressure from glaucoma.
But the existing law is unworkable because, under federal law, any physician who prescribes marijuana can be sent to prison and risks having their medical license revoked. The new proposal would allow a doctor to provide a written certification that would qualify a patient to use marijuana for medical purposes.
The patient would be able to grow up to three plants for personal use and could use that certificate as a legal defense for having the illegal substance.
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