MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Proponents: Will attempt for the third consecutive year to legalize the
use of marijuana for medical purposes in order to relieve the pain of
people who suffer from cancer, epilepsy and other illnesses.

A patient would need a doctor's permission to cultivate a limited
number of marijuana plants for medical purposes. The bill passed,
75-71, in the state House of Representatives during the 2004 session
after a contentious debate, but the matter was never debated in the
Senate.

Nine states have medical marijuana laws, and proponents want
Connecticut to be the 10th.

Opponents: Such a bill would be a back-door maneuver to open huge
loopholes for abuse and could lead eventually to the decriminalization
of marijuana. They note that many of the major medical associations,
including the American Cancer Society, the American Glaucoma Society
and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, have never endorsed the use
of medical marijuana.

Governor: Rell's spokesman Dennis Schain did not provide her position
on medical marijuana.