SENATE GIVES FINAL OK FOR MEDICAL POT

It was a special moment for Martin Chilcutt Monday as he watched from the
galleries as the Colorado Senate gave final approval to a medical marijuana
bill.

The 67-year-old retired psychotherapist and cancer survivor has battled
since 1996 for the right of cancer victims and others with debilitating
diseases to have the right to use marijuana to ease their pain or nausea.

First there was the lengthy battle to get petition signatures to put the
issue on the ballot in 1998, only to have the measure fall victim to
counting errors in the secretary of state's office and numerous court
battles. But it was back on the ballot in 2000 and voters said yes.

"I'm just so happy that I got to see it happen," said Chilcutt. "It was a
sort of closure. I was so delighted to see the intelligence of the Colorado
voters prevail over ignorance and irrational fears."

HB 1371, which was approved on a 21-12 vote in the Senate, sets up the
groundwork for carrying out the constitutional amendment. It now has been
approved by both houses, but must return to the House for consideration of
a Senate amendment before it goes to Gov. Bill Owens.

Ironically, Owens and Sen. Norma Anderson, R-Lakewood, the Senate sponsor
of the bill, both stood on the statehouse steps in 1998, urging voters to
defeat the measure.

Chilcutt said it was "tough for me to just sit there" during the final
floor debate between Sen. Ken Arnold, R-Westminster, and Anderson and say
nothing.

"It (medical marijuana) helps so many people," he said. "I know so many
people out there with cancer that use it so successfully."

The legislation sets up the procedures that chronically ill patients with
conditions such as cancer, glaucoma or AIDS must follow in order to use
medical marijuana. They need a doctor's permission and must be on a state
registry, which allows them to use the drug. Even after they pay a $140
annual registration fee, it's still illegal under federal law to distribute
or sell marijuana. The constitutional amendment approved by voters allows
patients to possess up to 2 ounces and six marijuana plants.

Arnold, a retired Colorado State Patrol major, made a last-ditch effort to
kill the bill, saying it was unnecessary and dangerous.

"I think it's just a foot in the door to legalize marijuana completely,"
Arnold said, adding that users will never be certain about the potency of
what they are using.