Medical marijuana law dumped

COLUMBUS In an emotional debate that included an unsuccessful attempt to
ban the socalled abortion pill, the Ohio House of Representatives has
revoked the medical marijuana legal defense.

The House voted 6433 on Wednesday to overturn a neverused and, until
recently, littlenoticed law enacted last year to allow those charged with
marijuana possession to argue in court they needed it for medical purposes.

Lawmakers who supported the removal of the medical marijuana defense argued
it was mistakenly included in a massive rewrite of felony sentencing laws
and could foster criminal abuse of marijuana. Others argued the state
should allow those suffering from AIDS, cancer, glaucoma and terminal
illnesses to use the medical defense if marijuana helps with nausea, lack
of appetite or pain.

The Senate previously had voted to revoke the medical defense which would
require a user to have a doctor's recommendation to use marijuana.

Rep. James Mason, RColumbus, argued the vague wording of the medical
marijuana defense could lead to those with large amounts to claim: ''Well,
man, I was just stocking up for the long haul of pain and suffering ahead.'=
'

Others urged lawmakers to show compassion: ''Let's err on the side of the
folks in pain. This is all about playing to the crowd: "We're tough on
drugs.' I'd rather be soft on the people in need, in pain,'' said Rep. Mike
Fox, RHamilton, who voted against the bill.

Rep. Frank Sawyer, DMansfield, said his family illegally secured marijuana
for his 32yearold sister who died of pancreatic cancer in 1980.

''It helped her feel better for her final 90 days,'' he said.

''If it was your mother, father, brother, sister or one of your kids, you
would do the same thing ... it's time to stop the reefer madness. This is
not a criminal issue, but a health issue,'' Sawyer said.

Reps. Sam Britton, DCincinnati; Mark Mallory, DCincinnati; Robert
Schuler, RSycamore Township; and Dale Van Vyven, RSharonville, also voted
against the marijuana defense legislation.