MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA GETS SUPPORT OF DELEGATE

Murphy Will Introduce Bill In Annapolis Next Session

A Baltimore County delegate says he will seek General Assembly approval of
a bill to legalize limited use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Del. Donald Murphy of Catonsville disclosed his intention after sifting
through points made last month at a round-table discussion in Annapolis.

"I'm getting a lot of good response to the idea, " said Murphy, a
Republican second-term legislator.

Murphy's interest in the care of critically ill patients was intensified by
his father's recent fatal bout with cancer. Shortly thereafter, he voted
for a 1999 bill to legalize assisted suicide.

That measure, which also provided for limited pain management by
physicians, was defeated.

Murphy said that, while the purpose of his marijuana legislation is clearly
to ease the pain and discomfort of such patients, many details of his
proposal are still to be worked out.

"Some form of legislation will be submitted, but it still needs some
study," he said.

"For example, some people say we should allow doctors to recommend it, to
prescribe it.

"Then how do we get it? Some say let the patient or some other authorized
person grow it. My thought is that it should not be available to every
corner drugstore, but maybe at designated stores or centers."

Murphy acknowledged that his proposal could lead "some people to think that
this is an easy way to get pot" for illegal use and that it might "be more
difficult and expensive to buy it by prescription than to get it on the
street."

Participants in the Annapolis round-table included a physician, an
oncological nurse, representatives from the hospice movement, the Board of
Physician Quality Assurance, the Maryland Hospital Association and the
Baltimore Substance Abuse System.

They heard a cancer patient describe his side effects from chemotherapy --
vomiting, appetite and weight loss, fatigue -- and the relief he received
from marijuana.

"The government should not interfere with a doctor's ability to prescribe
medication to these critically ill patients," Murphy said.

"I believe strongly that legislation of this type will enhance the quality
of life for many citizens in treatment for various debilitating diseases."

The delegate invited members of the medical community and other interested
person to contact him and offer comments on his proposal. The telephone
number of his district office is 410-788-8590 and his number in Annapolis
is 410-841-3378.