Legal Medical Marijuana Patient Detained After Testifying For Legislation

Legislation in Illinois to provide access to medical marijuana for patients in need died in committee Feb. 17, 2005. Shortly afterward police detained one of the witnesses who testified in support of the bill: Irvin Rosenfeld, one of the remaining legal federal medical marijuana patients. The Decatur, IL Herald & Review reported on Feb. 18, 2005 ( "Medical Marijuana Patient Detained After Bill Sinks In State Committee") that "The longest surviving federally legal medical marijuana patient was briefly detained for possessing cannabis after a state House committee shot down a proposal to make the drug legal. 'The two cops took it upon themselves to detain this person,' said state Rep. Larry McKeon, D-Chicago, sponsor of House Bill 407. 'It is a clear example why we need this legislation.'"

According to the Herald & Review, "McKeon was upset with the Secretary of State police Thursday when they detained a proponent of his initiative. 'I think part of the issue is training, education and common sense,' McKeon said. 'I've been a sergeant, I've been a lieutenant, I've been a captain. Supervision, management, training, that's your job. That's Secretary (Jesse) White's job. That's the job of the chief of police and Capitol security, and it's the job of the commander in charge of the Illinois State Police that augment that security. That's what I will tell Secretary White.' However, Brad Demuzio, director of Secretary of State police, said, 'Secretary of State police was not familiar with the federal exemption.' Demuzio said Irvin Rosenfeld, a stockbroker from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and medical marijuana patient, agreed to head downstairs of the Stratton Building for questioning. Once Rosenfeld explained his exemption, the two officers called Washington, D.C., for confirmation." Rosenfeld was ultimately released.

The Herald & Review notes that "Although McKeon's measure was voted down 7-4 in committee, he is determined to push ahead. Supporters of the bill and the representative already have plans to meet with officers and conductors of medical marijuana programs in other states. McKeon said he would also consider amending some language of the bill and bringing it back to the House."