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It was standing room only for a crowd listening to a debate on whether marijuana should be legalized in North Carolina for medicinal purposes.
"Marijuana has less side effects than other drugs that citizens throughout this country use regularly," the bill's sponsor, Representative Earl Jones, said.
House Bill 1380 would legalize marijuana in the state of North Carolina for people who use it for medicinal purposes.
The drug would remain in a smoking form and be provided by the federal government, Jones said.
He estimates revenues for the state would total more than $60 million annually.
(Click the second picture above to hear the author of the bill talk about medical marijuana)
Update: Thirteen states already have laws on the books legalizing the use of medicinal marijuana.
Under the bill, in North Carolina growers and distributors of marijuana would both be taxed.
There are also restrictions that come with the bill.
Users can't operate machinery while under the influence.
There would be no smoking allowed in a public place or anywhere else smoking is prohibited.
The bill also does not require an insurance company to cover the drug.
Supporters know the bill faces an uphill battle.
"(Marijuana) has got a huge (public relations) problem," Ben Scales, the author of the bill, said. "People who are open about their marijuana use are usually tie dyed hippies."
The bill provides for the drug to be legally smoked as long as there is a doctor's order, but advocates will have to convince concerned citizens the drug will remain in the right hands.
"Marijuana has great benefits in alleviating pain and what have you," said citizen John Lamazon. "The problem is them being able to control it."
Unless lawmakers can be convinced the law is necessary, medical patients may not be able to light up.
Representative jones hopes the health committee will vote on the bill next week.
Even if it passes the bill will have to go through two more committees before the full house will vote on it.
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Comments
By mike on 07/07 07:58 AM
Hi,my name is mike and I am dying,I got this stupid cancer,after two rounds of chemo I did not respond so I am just hanging around waiting for the big day.All my doctors do not have a problem dolling out narcotics and crazy meds like prozac,that I would rather be dead than to be on for the time I have left!The treatment for my pain and depression should be up to me!Weed helped with the chemo a great deal,but their was the worry of jail and here in carolina ,the cost! People should be able to grow their own for personal use!And say good bye to the assbite dealers!
By Jay on 07/07 02:29 AM
That is one of the best talks I have ever heard. Ben Scales is smart and insightful!! Great job. Great reporting. I sincerely hope this passes. Write your representatives and rally support for the bill- all it needs is a little more support- esp from across the aisle.
By Holly on 07/04 07:54 PM
Thank god our government is finally seeing the light. They will never stop people from smoking no matter what the consequence. It is far better than any pill your doctor will prescribe you because the side effects or minimal you eat sleep and laugh. Sure there are problems that can occur with your lungs but cigarettes do the same. We could be getting so much money if the government would just legalize it. I think that marijuana is far better than alcohol. Have you ever heard of someone beating there wife because they smoked a joint. NO!!! Alcohol cause so many deaths and it causes people to become violent and angry yet it is legal. This makes no sense to me. Our government needs to focus on stopping real drugs like crack/cocaine and heroine and leave the potheads alone. They dont hurt anyone. Not to mentions marijuana helps with pain management, stress management, it helps with nausea, headaches, cramps, attitude problems, you name it and it will help. It helps pull all nighters in college and helps keep students awake in class after the all nighters.
By Brandon on 07/01 03:48 PM
Has anyone thought to buy off politicians? I mean, this is how it is done for everything else. NORML needs to start hosting $100 plate "dinners" for struggling congressional candidates, get them money for their elections and some votes as well.
By from upstate NY on 06/23 03:45 PM
it's great to see that you are at least considering med pot down there in tobacco country. we're still behind here in NY. show our moron govt the way!
By Paul on 06/23 03:39 PM
Finally, it's about time we started recognizing this as a medicine. If you have a chance check out phoenixtears.ca and watch the video "Run from the cure".
By carlyt on 06/21 09:39 AM
Medical marijuana should be legalized everywhere as should marijuana in general. There is a related post at http://iamsoannoyed.com/?p=1880
By RevRayGreen on 06/21 01:11 AM
make it happen NC......
By Charles on 06/20 02:35 PM
About two years ago my wife started using medical marijuana for chronic pain. It has proved to be a Godsend for her. She still undergoes other surgeries and procedures to help with pain, but marijuana has proved to be an important part of her overall treatment. Because we live in California, she is able to purchase marijuana legally. Also, I am very greateful that the state allows us to grow our own marijuana for her since it is so very expensive in the dispensaries. Our neighbors and most of our friends have no idea that my wife grows, much less uses medical marijuana. While it would be very nice to come "out of the closet" and not have to keep that part of her life a secret, until the federal law is changed, she will have to continue violating federal law (even if the Atty. Gen. says that the DEA won't be arresting medical users at the moment). It's a great help to my wife medically, but it's very scary being so close to the edge of the law. It's our current laws that make marijuana a dangerous drug, it's not the marijuana itself. As with any medication, I'm sure there is a small percentage of people who will get in over their heads and develop a dependency. I would hope that we will have compassion for these folks and get them into treatment rather than into jail. In case you have any doubts, medical marijuana can and does work... Hopefully, North Carolina can develop a set of rational laws that will provide relief for patients and still maintain public safety. Hopefully, common sense will prevail in North Carolina.
By wgraves4786 on 06/19 09:53 PM
I hope what this gentlemen says is correct. I believe under the doctors reccomendation, and regulation by the health dep. why not? The registration is year-by-year basis right? Its not a life long thing. But then again, lol, for some it may 8?/ Legalize, regulate, and tax. And bring in all those accesories that Cali has. Watch AC360 on youtube; they provide drinks, teas, brownies, etc. even vaporizers, and marinol(not well proven method such as smoking cannabis)
By bryan seagondollar on 06/19 08:25 PM
legalization is a done deal. the goverment would allow . haven't we had about enough of what they i don't give a damn about what they allow.allow.they allow the death' of our children for oil bunch of corrupt morons. shame they don't sell horsewhips anymore. call the next case.
By Steve on 06/19 06:49 PM
We are not conspiraters or crazy. The government wants to make us feel crazy. They are controlling every aspect of our lives and like the last guy said the pharmecutical companies would loose money on all the drugs that are addictive like ambien for sleeping, oxicoten, darvicet...and on and on and on, come on!!! for crying out loud if America can be doped up by pills let us have something that can grow in my back yard!!! This is silly!!! I know Im not the only one!! it is time We did something!
By Fred Farkle on 06/19 12:24 PM
In order for me to cope with the insanity of Wall street, the FDA's bullshit, the DEA sniffing my underwear, the Christian coalition's penchant for forcing same sex legal marriages, the alcohol companies spawning drunk drivers, the tobacco companies killing people 1 every 10 seconds around the world... My Ice bong is my retaliation when my wallet is open to fund stupid. I NEED WEED TO DEAL WITH ***** THAT I AM FORCED TO ACCEPT. i work 80 hour weeks and my tax dollars go to someone who can arrest me for smoking god's gift to deal with their bullshit! No wonder why pot is an issue now. it is here to wake up the prehistoric thinkers. for god's sakes, control it, tax it and educate the kids WAIT TIL 21 like alcohol.. all i have to say is .. thank god for weed. i'd be dead if the FDA fed my head.
By End the Prohibition on 06/19 10:52 AM
Don't let the feds supply it! That's madness. License private businesses to produce and sell it, just as with alcohol today. The free market will quickly set a price lower than what the drug dealers can match. That's all that's needed to rid ourselves of drug dealers and end the thousands of cartel murders being committed every year.
By Matt Plummer on 06/19 10:28 AM
Let the feds supply the marijuana? Good luck with that. Besides the fact they'll refuse to do so the federally grown marijuana is garbage
By Isom in SC on 06/19 08:53 AM
Speak the truth, brother.
By Jason on 06/19 08:43 AM
"Result: No dealers, no easy access to marijuana by children, no cartel murders. " Uhh, you really think the gov't want this. They make too much money and the private prisons systems love it. Keep alot of people employed. They dont care one bit about your child or anyone else, else they would ban tobacco. Its easier to steal money than to print it
By Jason on 06/19 08:38 AM
Guys, come one now, you know its not about money, if they need more money they will just print more as always. It abotu freedom and choice. Its a war on democracy. It is a war wages by big tobacco and other big corporations to keep us unhappy and them in control. They are afraid that if we all are allowed to choose weather or not we are allowed to smoke pot, that we might just wake up and realize just how bad our leader are for letting the companies poison us all those years. Then the conpiracy theories , for the most part will be come reality nightmares for some of the corrupt elements of out so called free society. The pharmecutical companies are the biggest enemies here, since they have the power to buy laws like all the rest of the corporate kings. As always you hear just vote for the guys who are for it, but then again, when the corporation stop getting their guys elected, they will just buy some new laws that change the way voting is counted or something real offensive to the american public. There is the guy who introduced a new federal bill today that woul eliminate all federal penalties, but as usual, big media is not reporting it, but CSS is, not on nbc or yahoo (AP). They are against it, so they wont report it.
By Steve on 06/18 06:33 PM
Legalize it, it is time that people stop considering marijuana as "the devil". The government allows women the choice to kill babies, allows people to drink and drive, and allows people to smoke nicotine. But why would our government do something that makes since?
By Vic on 06/18 05:02 PM
Legalization will greatly reduce law enforcement costs and incarceration costs for segments of the population who would benefit from a non-harmful natural substance, and free up space in our jails and prisons for longer sentences for violent offenders.
By End the Prohibition on 06/18 02:51 PM
Legalize the production and sale of marijuana to adults at a price too low for dealers to match. Result: No dealers, no easy access to marijuana by children, no cartel murders. The modern marijuana industry is in its infancy. Legalize it and let it bloom!
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