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The author of a bill that would legalize marijuana for medical use is pushing to have the bill discussed in this month's session. Sen. Tina Muña Barnes, D-Mangilao, and author of Bill 215, which would legalize the use of medical marijuana, said she's working on several amendments to the bill before it's presented to the Legislature for a vote. If it's not ready by the time the speaker calls the first session, the bill will be on the floor within the first quarter of the year, she said.
The bill would legalize marijuana for medical use for those with various illnesses, including cancer, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Barnes and Sen. Aline Yamashita, R-Tamuning, introduced the bill, titled the Joaquin Concepcion Compassionate Cannabis Use Act of 2013, in October last year. The bill is named after the late Joaquin Concepcion, also known as KC Concepcion, who died from cancer last year. The controversial bill has sparked debate among residents and was given two public hearings last year to allow for public comment. Barnes said the hearings provided great insight into how residents feel about the bill.
"We're looking at all the recommendations and hope to address concerns raised," Barnes said. Some of the amendments being made to the bill include changes in the advisory board; the title of the bill; and the way the medical marijuana will be distributed. The bill, as written, would make the Department of Public Health and Social Services and a seven-member advisory board come up with rules and regulations for the use of medical marijuana. The board would consist mostly of medical professionals, however, there were concerns that other members of the community should be included, Barnes said. She's working on changing who will be on the board in the substitute version of the bill.
Public Health and the board, among other duties, would need to create rules for a registry for identification cards, to define the amount of marijuana necessary to constitute an adequate supply, and to identify criteria for adding other medical conditions to the list, the bill states. The bill, as written, gives Public Health and the board nine months to come up with the rules and regulations. Public Health Director James Gillan urged senators to consider potential consequences to legalizing medical marijuana on Guam at the last public hearing in December.
Gillan said his opposition to the bill came from concern over the costs of implementing and regulating medical marijuana usage. He said that the government, as of yet, has "no idea how many people we'd be certifying," and the government might not be able to afford the costs of operating and regulating a medical marijuana program. Gillan said the issue boils down to a "question of how we're really gonna do this the right way."
Barnes said she agreed with Gillan and said the amended bill will include a funding source to insure the program is adequately supported and done the right way. She also noted that the rules and regulations still will need to be approved by the Legislature before any movement on the program can start, so there will be checks and balances. Ultimately, Barnes is hoping to provide another means for residents to get relief from various debilitating conditions. "This is not for anything else other than medical use," she said.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Guampdn.com
Author: Jerick Sablan
Contact: Contact Us | Pacific Daily News | guampdn.com
Website: Senator pushes to have medical marijuana bill discussed | Pacific Daily News | guampdn.com
The bill would legalize marijuana for medical use for those with various illnesses, including cancer, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Barnes and Sen. Aline Yamashita, R-Tamuning, introduced the bill, titled the Joaquin Concepcion Compassionate Cannabis Use Act of 2013, in October last year. The bill is named after the late Joaquin Concepcion, also known as KC Concepcion, who died from cancer last year. The controversial bill has sparked debate among residents and was given two public hearings last year to allow for public comment. Barnes said the hearings provided great insight into how residents feel about the bill.
"We're looking at all the recommendations and hope to address concerns raised," Barnes said. Some of the amendments being made to the bill include changes in the advisory board; the title of the bill; and the way the medical marijuana will be distributed. The bill, as written, would make the Department of Public Health and Social Services and a seven-member advisory board come up with rules and regulations for the use of medical marijuana. The board would consist mostly of medical professionals, however, there were concerns that other members of the community should be included, Barnes said. She's working on changing who will be on the board in the substitute version of the bill.
Public Health and the board, among other duties, would need to create rules for a registry for identification cards, to define the amount of marijuana necessary to constitute an adequate supply, and to identify criteria for adding other medical conditions to the list, the bill states. The bill, as written, gives Public Health and the board nine months to come up with the rules and regulations. Public Health Director James Gillan urged senators to consider potential consequences to legalizing medical marijuana on Guam at the last public hearing in December.
Gillan said his opposition to the bill came from concern over the costs of implementing and regulating medical marijuana usage. He said that the government, as of yet, has "no idea how many people we'd be certifying," and the government might not be able to afford the costs of operating and regulating a medical marijuana program. Gillan said the issue boils down to a "question of how we're really gonna do this the right way."
Barnes said she agreed with Gillan and said the amended bill will include a funding source to insure the program is adequately supported and done the right way. She also noted that the rules and regulations still will need to be approved by the Legislature before any movement on the program can start, so there will be checks and balances. Ultimately, Barnes is hoping to provide another means for residents to get relief from various debilitating conditions. "This is not for anything else other than medical use," she said.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Guampdn.com
Author: Jerick Sablan
Contact: Contact Us | Pacific Daily News | guampdn.com
Website: Senator pushes to have medical marijuana bill discussed | Pacific Daily News | guampdn.com
