50 LAWMAKERS BACK MEDICAL MARIJUANA

ANNAPOLIS -- More than 50 lawmakers have signed on to a bill that would
legalize marijuana for the terminally ill, a proposal that has been killed
in legislative committees for the last two years.

But with so many cosponsors on the bill, a key supporter said it was a sign
the three-year effort was gaining momentum.

"I am confident we will do better this year," said Delegate Donald Murphy,
R-Baltimore County. "Cancer patients and AIDS patients can't afford to wait
another year."

"This is a pro-life bill," Delegate Janet Greenip, R-Anne Arundel, said at
a press conference Thursday for the bill. "This is one way to make sure
people at the end of their life don't have to suffer."

Among the supporters are Democratic and Republican leaders of the House, as
well as Delegate Dan Morhaim, an emergency room physician, and Delegate
Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, a nurse.

Also signed on are three Frederick County delegates: Republicans Louise
Snodgrass and David Brinkley, both cancer survivors, and Democrat Sue Hecht.

The bill envisions patients who face debilitating illnesses, with a
recommendation from their doctor, would apply to the Maryland Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene for an identification card.

With the card, the patients would be immune from prosecution for possession
or cultivation of small amounts of marijuana.

Patients and their primary caregivers would be required to grow marijuana
in secure indoor facilities, to prevent theft.

"So many families are getting (marijuana) illegally because they can't bear
to watch their family members when they don't have much time," Ms.
Snodgrass said.

"If doctors can prescribe codeine and morphine, then marijuana should not
be a problem," said Delegate Clarence Davis, D-Baltimore.

The bill was drafted in response to the death of Darrell Putman, a
Vietnam-era Green Beret who lived in Woodbine. Mr. Putman told Mr. Murphy
that he turned to marijuana after contracting Hodgkin's lymphoma,
describing his fear that he could lose his home and business if convicted.

"He wouldn't have turned to this lightly," Mr. Murphy said.

Mr. Brinkley described his own cancer fight 12 years ago. The cancer
treatments made him very sick. Swallowing was a chore, making the act of
eating nearly impossible. Marijuana, he said, would encourage patients to
eat and get their strength back.

Mr. Murphy introduced the first bill for the 2000 General Assembly,
anticipating Mr. Putman would testify in support. Mr. Putman died before
the session began.

The House Judiciary Committee shot down the 2000 bill. The 2001 version
died in the Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee.

Nine of the sponsors sit on the House Judiciary Committee, Mr. Murphy said.

"I'm afraid to let the chairman know I've got the votes," Mr. Murphy said.

But if the bill survives a floor vote in the House, the Senate's judicial
panel is considered a greater hurdle.

Last month, Gonzales/Arscott Research & Communications Inc. released the
results of a poll showing voters would support candidates who support
medical marijuana.

"There are some senators who are going to have to take a look at that
poll," Mr. Murphy said. "If we can't convince them now, we're going to have
to convince them in November."

Mr. Murphy's bill would prevent a prosecution. Other bills have been
introduced in case it fails to pass.

Delegate Dana Dembrow, D-Montgomery, has a bill that would allow patients
facing prosecution to say at their trial they were using marijuana for
their illness.

And Delegate Thomas Hutchins, R-Charles, has a bill that would allow judges
to consider medical necessity for patients convicted of marijuana crimes.

While 10,000 people die each year from cancer, Mr. Murphy said, no one dies
from marijuana.

"Pretzels are more dangerous than marijuana," he joked.