STATE GROUP FIGHTS DRUG LAWS

Texas organization pushes to legalize medical marijuana

Texans for Medical Marijuana began a new campaign Tuesday calling for the
legalization of marijuana for medical purposes.

"Sick patients need relief from pain, spasms and their own pocketbooks,"
said Karen Heikkala, TMM spokeswoman. "Conventional medication is still
very expensive to the average patient."

Nine states allow the use and cultivation of marijuana plants for selected
patients under a doctor's supervision, while five states have pending
legislation.

"The federal government has no authority to prevent state laws to remove
penalties for medical marijuana use," said Noelle Davis, TMM executive
director. "It is time for Texas to guarantee that seriously ill patients
have safe and legal access to medical marijuana under their doctor's
supervision."

Texas law makes no distinction between patients and others who use marijuana.

"Patients risk going through arrest, asset forfeiture and, on top of that,
being labeled as felons," Heikkala said. "Patients who would consider
themselves law-abiding citizens are forced to be sneaky about marijuana use."

The state's drug commission said wider drug use may come as a consequence
of legalization.

"It opens up use and abuse of marijuana in the state of Texas," said Kirk
Cole, spokesman for the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

State and national Drug Enforcement Administration officials were
unavailable for comment.

Aside from smoking, THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, can be taken
in other ways. THC is already used in prescription pills and sprays.

"A sublingual [below-the-tongue] spray being developed has so far yielded
good results," Heikkala said. "We will wait to see about the expense, if it
is acceptable to patients."

Texans for Medical Marijuana plans to press for its use through legislative
channels by placing pressure on state lawmakers to change drug laws.

"[Legalization] will definitely take public support," Davis said. "We are
here to help constituents learn so that they can let their legislators know
that it's OK."

The organization has based public support in Texas upon a 2003 Harris
County report, which cites 62 percent of those polled who recommend medical
marijuana as an alternative to conventional medicines.

"In addition to the Harris County poll, nationally the approval rate has
been between 60 percent to 80 percent consistently for the past 10 years,"
Davis said.

Gov. Rick Perry remains firmly opposed to any kind of marijuana legalization.

"The governor does not support any measures for the medical or any other
use of marijuana," said Kathy Walt, spokeswoman for Perry.