DELEGATE STILL SEEKS LEGAL MARIJUANA USE

GOP Support Sought On A Bill To Approve It For Medical Purposes

In his crusade to decriminalize marijuana use for medical purposes, a
Baltimore County delegate is wooing what might appear to be an unlikely
group of potential supporters: conservative Republicans.

"It's a very conservative position to hold," said the bill's primary
sponsor, Del. Donald E. Murphy, a Republican. "It's saying to government,
'Leave me alone.' Are we going to tell people we know better than their
doctors?"

Yesterday marked the second time Murphy has introduced legislation in the
General Assembly that would exempt from prosecution patients whose doctors
advise smoking marijuana to ease the pain and nausea associated with
treatment for cancer and AIDS, among other diseases.

The bill failed in the House Judiciary Committee last year, and its chances
are slim this session.

"I have a hard time getting over the fact that it's currently against state
and federal law," said Del. Ann Marie Doory, a Baltimore Democrat and the
committee vice chair.

Because Murphy believes he can't count on conservative Democrats, he is
hoping to patch together a majority coalition by persuading Republicans to
join him.

"I think some Democrats are afraid to pass this bill because they think in
the next election people will say, 'Oh, soft on crime, soft on drugs,'" he
said.

He has been lobbying Republican delegates such as Carmen Amedori of Carroll
County, who also sits on the Judiciary Committee. Yesterday, she called the
idea "risky" and added, "I think the bill promotes illegal drug use under
the guise of medicine."

Murphy has gathered a list of co-sponsors. Of the 29 names, he is
especially proud of the nine GOP signatures, including that of House
Minority Leader Robert H. Kittleman of Howard County.

An identical bill has been introduced in the Senate.

Robert D. Kampia, executive director of the Washington-based Marijuana
Policy Project, shares Murphy's optimism. Of the 25 states considering
similar legislation, Maryland is one of three he thinks could pass it
(along with New Mexico and Massachusetts) because of the bipartisan support.

"In some states, it's typically something only liberals advocate," he said.
Eight states allow medical marijuana use.

To remind reporters and lawmakers of yesterday's news conference, Murphy
passed out prescription bottles containing oregano, a dead ringer for
marijuana, and delivered pizza to the State House press room.

Today, he will begin two radio ads costing more than $1,000 each, on WBAL
and WCBM in Baltimore, stations he described as politically conservative.
His campaign fund is paying for one ad, an advocacy group the other.

In one, the widow of a cancer victim tells listeners about her husband's
weight loss during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. "Although it put
us at risk of arrest, friends and doctors finally convinced him to try
using marijuana to stimulate his appetite," says Shay Putman of Woodbine.
"It worked, and he regained enough weight and strength to undergo a stem
cell transplant."

Murphy's latest bill authorizes the health department to keep track of
patients allowed to use marijuana. It also details limits on the amount
they would be permitted: three mature plants, four immature plants and an
ounce of usable marijuana per mature plant.