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After weeks of speculation, despite all our calls, faxes and emails, Governor M. Jodi Rell vetoed HB 6715, the Compassionate Use Act. It's unconscionable that Rell vetoed this bill. And it's creating a firestorm that the Governor likely didn't anticipate.

Newspaper articles and television reports are blasting the Governor for her veto. Why?

First, the medical efficacy of marijuana is unassailable--just look at recent research conducted by Dr. Donald Abrams at the University of California, as reported in the journal Neurology.

Second, Governor Rell's veto message was taken straight from the Bush Administration playbook. With regard to medical marijuana, the Bush Administration has continued to play politics with the lives of patients and their families. And now Rell has placed political games above compassion in Connecticut. Her veto message, which you can read here, is full of inaccuracies and distortions. We have produced a detailed point-by-point rebuttal of the Governor's weak veto message. As State Senator Andrew McDonald (D-Stamford) told the New York Times, the Governor never raised any of these concerns while the bill was being drafted, when modifications could have been made.

Third, support for medical marijuana is overwhelming in Connecticut. Over 83 % of CT residents supported this legislation in polls. The State Legislature passed HB 6715 by wide margins. Dozens of medical, legal, community and faith based groups supported this bill, including the CT Nurses Association and community groups like A Better Way Foundation. You and hundreds of residents across Connecticut-including patients, doctors, and caretakers-sent letters, faxes, and phone calls to the Governor, urging her support.

Indeed, Connecticut stood up to support patients, but Gov. Rell ducked out the back door, abandoning her constituents and forgoing an opportunity to protect patients from state prosecution.

But we will not be turned back from our effort to enact sensible, common sense protections for patients. If you are frustrated, send the Governor your thoughts and comments. You can also send letters to the editor and opinion editorials to your local paper. Let the press and the Governor know what you think.

Despite the Governor's wrongheaded, politically-motivated veto, we should all feel proud for what we accomplished this year-together, for the first time in CT history, we sent a workable medical marijuana bill to the Governor's desk. And together, we will prevail in our efforts to end the criminalization of patients in need.

Gabriel Sayegh
Drug Policy Alliance

Governor Rell
local phone: 860-566-4840
toll free: 800-406-1527
fax: 860-524-7396
email: Governor.Rell@po.state.ct.us

Drug Policy Alliance: Rigorously Controlled Study Supports Effectiveness of Medical Marijuana

Governor Rell: BILL NOTIFICATION RELEASE No. 19



News Hawk- User http://www.420magazine.com/
Source: Drug Policy Alliance
Contact: Drug Policy Alliance
Copyright: 2007 Drug Policy Alliance
Website: Drug Policy Alliance: Where is the Connecticut Governor's Compassion?