GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL LOOK AGAIN AT MEDICAL MARIJUANA

HARTFORD -- The emotional issue of marijuana to ease a patient's suffering
is returning to the General Assembly.

The legislature's Judiciary Committee has scheduled a public hearing for
Monday to consider legislation that would make marijuana available for
medical use.

A 1983 state law allows marijuana prescriptions, but doctors -- bowing to
federal law that prohibits the sale of marijuana for medical uses -- do not
prescribe it.

In addition, synthetic drugs are available that control pain, said Mark
Thompson, spokesman for the Fairfield County Medical Association.

State Rep. James Abrams, D-Meriden, said he sponsored legislation that
would ease up on the medical availability of pot after hearing of a
constituent who tried unsuccessfully to legally find marijuana to ease his
nausea. The legislation would allow patients with a doctor's approval to
grow marijuana indoors.

One defense lawyer said legalizing marijuana for medicinal use would be a
mistake. Such a law would invite "a lot of bogus doctors and agencies" who
would prescribe marijuana under the guise of medical treatment, said lawyer
Mickey Sherman of Stamford.

Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington
permit the medical use of marijuana. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency last
year gave final approval to the University of California at San Diego
Medical Center to study the effects of marijuana on patients with multiple
sclerosis and those who suffer neuropathy, or nerve pain, associated with AIDS.

Federal officials say they hope to introduce some science into what has
been an emotional debate. The agency maintains that previous studies have
shown no medical benefit to marijuana.