BILL SEEKS MEDICAL DEFENSE OF MARIJUANA

A bill introduced in a Senate committee Monday would allow judges to
consider a medical condition as defense of marijuana possession.

Under the proposal, those with a debilitating illness arrested for
the drug's possession could present in court a doctor's written
certification that marijuana would offer therapeutic benefits.

"This is simply an issue of compassion," said Laura Green, director
of the Kansas Compassionate Care Coalition that helped draft the measure.

The bill would not legalize or decriminalize possessing the drug.

The mere introduction of the bill, usually a formality, was decried
by one Topeka legislator.

Sen. Vicki Schmidt, R-Topeka, opposed the bill's entry on the
calendar, saying, "It costs a lot of money to introduce a bill."

Schmidt, a pharmacist, said it's difficult to ensure the same amount
of marijuana is distributed to each patient. She added that the bill
violates federal law.

The bill is expected to receive a hearing in mid-February.