Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
A Kentucky lawmaker is proposing to legalize marijuana for the terminally ill in a move that's widely seen as a first step toward wholesale legalization of the so-called gateway drug.
State Sen. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, made his case for "palliative" marijuana to the General Assembly's Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare and Family Services on Wednesday.
McGarvey said his proposal would require a written order by a medical professional to "treat or alleviate symptoms associated with life-threatening illnesses, for palliative, or end-of-life care."
State Rep. Tim Moore, R-Elizabethtown, said, while he hasn't seen McGarvey's latest proposal, he believes the idea remains unpopular among most Kentucky lawmakers.
Moore said he sees no valid reason to legalize marijuana in any form.
"Drugs are a big enough problem," Moore said. "This would just add to it."
With heavy opposition from Kentucky's law enforcement and faith communities, similar efforts to ease restrictions on marijuana have died in the last two legislative sessions without being called up for votes.
"Sen. McGarvey is deceived if he believes moral opposition has diminished," said Paul Chitwood, executive director of the 750,000-member Kentucky Baptist Convention. "A vast majority of Kentuckians remains staunchly opposed to marijuana legalization. Fortunately, the vast majority of our lawmakers understand this."
Opponents see proposals like McGarvey's as steps toward full legalization of marijuana, and they say physicians can prescribe far more effective drugs that wouldn't require terminally ill patients to inhale smoke into their lungs.
McGarvey said his latest proposal also would establish a task force to implement such provisions as how and where patients could get marijuana, who could grow it, even the prescription's strength and more.
"In the year after we pass this, we can set up the framework with the experts involved, learning from successes and failures in other states," he said.
When asked by a committee member what is the biggest objection he hears on the issue, McGarvey replied: "It's a moral objection, but it's going away."
Sen. Reginald Thomas, D-Lexington, said he is on board with McGarvey's proposal, saying is "personally and professionally aware of the need for this type of treatment for cancer patients."
"We can talk about all the reasons we can't do this," McGarvey told lawmakers. "But I can point to at least 26 states where they took the attitude that they can. If we take that same attitude and can-do spirit, we can do it here."
McGarvey said he's a little more optimistic that the bill might pass in the 2018 legislative session, even though similar measures have failed repeatedly in the past.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ky. lawmaker proposes marijuana legalization for terminally ill
Contact: Contact Us | The Gleaner
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Henderson News, Sports, Weather, Business | The Gleaner
State Sen. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, made his case for "palliative" marijuana to the General Assembly's Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare and Family Services on Wednesday.
McGarvey said his proposal would require a written order by a medical professional to "treat or alleviate symptoms associated with life-threatening illnesses, for palliative, or end-of-life care."
State Rep. Tim Moore, R-Elizabethtown, said, while he hasn't seen McGarvey's latest proposal, he believes the idea remains unpopular among most Kentucky lawmakers.
Moore said he sees no valid reason to legalize marijuana in any form.
"Drugs are a big enough problem," Moore said. "This would just add to it."
With heavy opposition from Kentucky's law enforcement and faith communities, similar efforts to ease restrictions on marijuana have died in the last two legislative sessions without being called up for votes.
"Sen. McGarvey is deceived if he believes moral opposition has diminished," said Paul Chitwood, executive director of the 750,000-member Kentucky Baptist Convention. "A vast majority of Kentuckians remains staunchly opposed to marijuana legalization. Fortunately, the vast majority of our lawmakers understand this."
Opponents see proposals like McGarvey's as steps toward full legalization of marijuana, and they say physicians can prescribe far more effective drugs that wouldn't require terminally ill patients to inhale smoke into their lungs.
McGarvey said his latest proposal also would establish a task force to implement such provisions as how and where patients could get marijuana, who could grow it, even the prescription's strength and more.
"In the year after we pass this, we can set up the framework with the experts involved, learning from successes and failures in other states," he said.
When asked by a committee member what is the biggest objection he hears on the issue, McGarvey replied: "It's a moral objection, but it's going away."
Sen. Reginald Thomas, D-Lexington, said he is on board with McGarvey's proposal, saying is "personally and professionally aware of the need for this type of treatment for cancer patients."
"We can talk about all the reasons we can't do this," McGarvey told lawmakers. "But I can point to at least 26 states where they took the attitude that they can. If we take that same attitude and can-do spirit, we can do it here."
McGarvey said he's a little more optimistic that the bill might pass in the 2018 legislative session, even though similar measures have failed repeatedly in the past.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ky. lawmaker proposes marijuana legalization for terminally ill
Contact: Contact Us | The Gleaner
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Henderson News, Sports, Weather, Business | The Gleaner
