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Medical marijuana users may have to make more frequent trips to the doctor to get their card renewed if some lawmakers have their way.
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on a bill this morning that would allow people with post-traumatic stress disorder to get medical marijuana cards.
There were a number of amendments proposed to Senate Bill 281, including one introduced by Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, that would require medical marijuana users renew their registry identification card after 60 days. Currently, cardholders renew their card annually.
The patient would have to provide the Oregon Health Authority updated documentation from their physician that medical marijuana could help them reduce symptoms of their medical condition.
The intent behind the amendment was to make sure that cardholders see their doctor regularly just as they would if they were renewing any other prescription, according to legislative staff.
Iraq veteran Jared Townsend told lawmakers he was opposed to the amendment to the bill because it would be difficult for people to schedule an appointment with their doctor and continually renew their card after 60 days.
"I think it's just a ploy to clog the system," Townsend said.
Oregon is among 18 states that allow medical marijuana use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Medical marijuana is currently allowed in the state for patients with certain debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, HIV and AIDS. The bill would add PTSD — a type of anxiety disorder that occurs in people who have seen or experienced a traumatic event -- to that list.
Supporters of the bill point to anecdotal evidence by doctors that show medical marijuana can help alleviate symptoms of PTSD such as nightmares.
Sen. Betsy Close, R-Albany, who also sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, testified in opposition to the bill saying that she's seen the long term effects of chronic marijuana use. A close relative of hers, for example, suffered from health effects from smoking marijuana.
"Marijuana does damage the body and especially the brain," Close said.
Marijuana is still illegal under federal law and classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning there is no accepted medical use of the drug.
The bill was scheduled for a work session next Wednesday.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: statesmanjournal.com
Author: Queenie Wong
Website: Statesman Journal: Salem news, sports, entertainment. Serving Salem, Oregon.
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on a bill this morning that would allow people with post-traumatic stress disorder to get medical marijuana cards.
There were a number of amendments proposed to Senate Bill 281, including one introduced by Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, that would require medical marijuana users renew their registry identification card after 60 days. Currently, cardholders renew their card annually.
The patient would have to provide the Oregon Health Authority updated documentation from their physician that medical marijuana could help them reduce symptoms of their medical condition.
The intent behind the amendment was to make sure that cardholders see their doctor regularly just as they would if they were renewing any other prescription, according to legislative staff.
Iraq veteran Jared Townsend told lawmakers he was opposed to the amendment to the bill because it would be difficult for people to schedule an appointment with their doctor and continually renew their card after 60 days.
"I think it's just a ploy to clog the system," Townsend said.
Oregon is among 18 states that allow medical marijuana use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Medical marijuana is currently allowed in the state for patients with certain debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, HIV and AIDS. The bill would add PTSD — a type of anxiety disorder that occurs in people who have seen or experienced a traumatic event -- to that list.
Supporters of the bill point to anecdotal evidence by doctors that show medical marijuana can help alleviate symptoms of PTSD such as nightmares.
Sen. Betsy Close, R-Albany, who also sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, testified in opposition to the bill saying that she's seen the long term effects of chronic marijuana use. A close relative of hers, for example, suffered from health effects from smoking marijuana.
"Marijuana does damage the body and especially the brain," Close said.
Marijuana is still illegal under federal law and classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning there is no accepted medical use of the drug.
The bill was scheduled for a work session next Wednesday.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: statesmanjournal.com
Author: Queenie Wong
Website: Statesman Journal: Salem news, sports, entertainment. Serving Salem, Oregon.
