MEDICAL POT'S BACKERS, CRITICS SPEAK AT CAPITOL

TOPEKA - Several people urged lawmakers Monday to approve a measure
that would allow some patients to use a note from their physician as
a defense for possessing marijuana.

Opponents, including law enforcement, the Pharmacy Board and the
Kansas Medical Society, questioned the plant's efficacy in treating
symptoms of disease such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.

The measure, SB 556, dubbed the Medical Marijuana Defense Act, would
allow people with diseases such as glaucoma, cancer or multiple
sclerosis to use a note from their doctor as a defense to possessing
marijuana and related paraphernalia.

Eleven states have some form of a medical marijuana program,
according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

The idea drew a lot of attention, but the committee is unlikely to vote on it.

Sen. Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, the committee's chairwoman, said the
medicines used to treat pain and nausea for cancer patients have come
a long way.

"I don't see it as something that is necessary in this day and age," she said.

Eric Voth, chairman of the Institute on Global Drug Policy, said the
measure would create a "get out of jail free card" for people who
could convince a physician they needed marijuana.

"Marijuana is a sorry excuse for medicine," he told the committee,
claiming the legislation was part of a national push to legalize the drug.

"Extensive studies have not proven the claim that it helps in any
way, and the harm that it would do to our society as a whole makes
this bill not in the best interest of the state," said Jeff Brandau,
special agent in charge of the Topeka Regional Special Operations
Division for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Other opponents said the measure would make it hard to tell children
that marijuana was harmful and expressed fear about the possibility
of street-corner pot shops. However, patients with certain diseases
and their families see marijuana as a relief to their suffering.

When her son was suffering from multiple sclerosis, smoking marijuana
stopped his screaming, said Bette Hulser of Topeka.

"After seeing my son I knew then I would never do anything to stop
him from smoking marijuana," said Hulser, who described herself as
"pretty straight-laced."

Laura Green, the director for Kansas Compassionate Care Coalition,
said she'd heard from hundreds of people whose family members had
used marijuana to relieve their suffering from cancer and multiple sclerosis.

"We cannot continue to let these vulnerable people be convicted of
illegal drug use when they are simply trying to gain relief from pain
and suffering with their doctor's support," she said.