[Sativa]

After a contentious hearing, the Connecticut General Law Committee passed House Bill 6715 (H.B. 6715), The Palliative Use of Marijuana, by a vote of 11 to 6 on Tuesday.

No changes were made to the bill despite several negative amendments being introduced. The amendments would have eviscerated the spirit of the bill, but DPA and community partner A Better Way Foundation worked with supportive legislators to fend off those detrimental changes.

The next stop for HB 6715 is another committee—-the bill must pass through two or possibly three more committees before it reaches the floor of the House for a full vote. The next committee hearing will be scheduled in the next week.

Connecticut legislators feel increasingly empowered to support access to marijuana for seriously ill people in the wake of New Mexico's recent medical marijuana victory, so advocates are optimistic about the future of the bill. "The science is clear, and the need is great. For the sake of patients and their families, it’s time for the Connecticut Legislature to pass Compassionate Use," said Gabriel Sayegh, director of DPA's State Organizing and Policy Project.

Medical marijuana access has tremendous support among voters in Connecticut. A 2004 University of Connecticut poll found that 83% of Connecticut residents support allowing patients to access medical marijuana for relief of symptoms associated with debilitating conditions such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.

If HB 6715 passes the full House of Representatives, it will move to the Senate.


Newshawk: CoZmO - 420Magazine.com
Source: Drug Policy Alliance (NY)
Author: Drug Policy Alliance
Contact: nyc@drugpolicy.org
Copyright: 2007 Drug Policy Alliance
Website: Drug Policy Alliance