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Medical Marijuana News Update
The Coalition
for Medical Marijuana includes:
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Vermont Broadens Its Medical Marijuana LawThe Vermont State Legislature has passed a measure expanding the state's medical marijuana law. The bill will be enacted without the governor's signature. The Burlington Free Press reported on June 1, 2007 ("Medical Marijuana Law Expanded") that "Steve Perry of Randolph Center welcomed news Thursday that a bill expanding eligibility for the state's medical marijuana registry would become law -- even though the governor refused to sign it. Perry copes with a degenerative joint condition that causes severe pain and muscle spasms. Traditional painkillers fail to provide relief, he said, but marijuana has helped. Now he will be able to register with the Department of Public Safety and have protection from state prosecution while using the otherwise illegal drug. The bill broadened the eligibility established in Vermont's 2004 law by allowing those with chronic debilitating conditions, not just life-threatening diseases, to participate in the program. It also increases the number of plants that participants may grow at home and reduces the annual registration fee from $100 to $50. The marijuana bill is the fifth piece of legislation Gov. Jim Douglas has allowed to become law this year without his signature. Jason Gibbs, the governor's spokesman, said that generally Douglas exercises this option when he doesn't agree with the policy but recognizes a measure has strong support in the Legislature." According to the Free Press, "'Why wouldn't he veto it if that is the way he really feels?' asked Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin, D-Windham. 'This is a wimp-out position.' Shumlin criticized the governor for using the no-sign option so frequently. Senate Majority Leader John Campbell, D-Windsor, agreed. 'I think what it says is that there was a lack of communication on many of the issues we were dealing with,' Campbell said. 'I would hope in the next session, if he or his staff have problems, we would have more in-depth conversations.'" The Free Press noted that "Even with the new changes, 'it is still going to be very conservative compared to some of the other states,' said Dan Bernath, assistant communications director for the Marijuana Policy Project. Campbell championed the expansion of eligibility and relaxation of the limits on the number of plants. A former police officer, he said he understood the governor's concern about passing legislation contrary to federal law. 'We chose to look at the human side, to take a compassionate view.'"
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