[420 Girl]

Medical marijuana proponents are citing a U.S. Justice Department memo released this week in their effort to convince the Massachusetts Legislature to become the 14th state to pass a law legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

The October 19 memo generally discourages federal prosecutors from expending resources pursuing individuals who are in compliance with state medical marijuana laws.

The memo, which describes prosecution of significant traffickers of illegal drugs and the disruption of drug manufacturing networks as “core priorities,” was signed by Justice Department Criminal Division Assistant Attorney Lanny A. Breuer and top officials at the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Capitol Hill-based Medical Marijuana Project seized on the ruling, saying it “gives new impetus to the drive to pass a medical marijuana bill in Massachusetts.” Such legislation (H 2160) was heard in May by the Public Health Committee but has not emerged for a vote. It is sponsored by Rep. Frank Smizik (D-Brookline) and its cosponsors include Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Charles Murphy (D-Burlington), Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee Chair Rep. Liz Malia, Elder Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Alice Wolf (D-Cambridge) and House floor division chair Rep. Ellen Story (D-Amherst).

A Suffolk University poll released last month found 81 percent of Massachusetts voters support medical marijuana legislation.

In a statement released by the Medical Marijuana Project, Marcy Duda of Ware, who suffers from chronic pain and nerve damage due to brain surgery, said, “I hope this sends a signal to our legislators that there is no reason not to move ahead with legislation to help seriously ill patients. I’ve tried prescription painkillers that are very addictive and just knock me out. Medical marijuana helps me get by.”

Rhode Island passed a medical marijuana law in 2006.


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