MEDICAL Pot in NC

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Urge General Assembly to protect medical marijuana patients in 2009

Last update: December 17, 2008

The 2008 legislative session showed promise. Rep. Earl Jones (D-Guilford) introduced House Joint Resolution 2405, a bill to allow the legislature's Legislative Research Commission to study the issue of medical marijuana. The House Science and Technology Committee held an educational session about the bill at which Dr. Joycelyn Elders, former surgeon general for the United States, presented medical information for the committee.

While this hearing was certainly a step forward, patients suffering from debilitating illnesses — such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS — face arrest and jail for using medical marijuana, even when their doctors agree it can help relieve their symptoms. Thirteen states already have laws protecting seriously ill patients who use medical marijuana. It's time for North Carolina to join them. Tell your legislators that it's time this cruel policy ends.

If you are a medical professional, a patient who might benefit from medical marijuana, or if you know somebody who might benefit from medical marijuana, we would like to hear from you. Additionally, if you are a law enforcement official, a clergy member, or a member of the legal community, please e-mail Zane to see how you can be of special help.

If you are interested in composing a powerful 150- to 200-word letter to the editor, we'd be glad to help. Please send MPP legislative analyst Zane Hurst an e-mail at Zane along with a short description of why you support medical marijuana laws.

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