First-ever medical marijuana bill passes committee, awaits Senate floor vote
Last update: June 26, 2009
Sadly, patients suffering from debilitating illnesses — such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS — still face arrest and jail for using medical marijuana in Delaware, even when their doctors agree it can help relieve their symptoms. However, for the first time ever, there is real hope of relief. Senator Margaret Rose Henry (D-Wilmington) introduced a compassionate medical marijuana bill, S.B. 94, earlier this year.
On June 3, Sen. Henry seamlessly guided the bill through the Health and Social Services Committee, which approved the bill in a 4-0 vote. At least 13 patients and advocates offered testimony in support. Joe Scarborough, an AIDS and cancer survivor, and Chris M., who suffers chronic pain, offered stirring testimony about how medical marijuana has helped them survive some very difficult health challenges. Joe Scarborough explained "Smoking marijuana has helped with the pain and nausea associated with the drugs I take for AIDS as well as chemotherapy, and it has helped with pain caused by my nerve damage." The committee vote received excellent press coverage.
S.B. 94 now awaits a vote in the Senate, which can happen either before June 30 or after the Senate reconvenes for the second year of its two-year session on January 12, 2010. Please ask your senator and representative to co-sponsor and vote for S.B. 94.
Thirteen states already have laws protecting seriously ill patients who use medical marijuana, and more than a dozen additional states considered medical marijuana legislation last year, including Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. It's time for Delaware to join them. Tell your legislators that it's time this cruel policy ends.
In order to move forward with medical marijuana policy reform, there needs to be an open discussion about the issue throughout the state. An excellent way to get the discussion started is by writing a letter to the editor of your local paper. This will also show legislators throughout the state that the residents of Delaware want the state to stop arresting medical marijuana patients. Please take a few minutes to craft a brief letter to the editor in support of medical marijuana.
If you are a patient with a serious medical condition who could benefit from medical marijuana, a loved one, a medical professional, a member of law enforcement or the clergy who might be interested in speaking out, please e-mail state@mpp.org to see how you can be of special help.
To stay updated on the status of marijuana policy reform in Delaware, be sure to subscribe to MPP's free legislative alert service, if you haven't done so already.
