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OH: Medical-Marijuana Proponents Ask for Hearing

Discussion in 'Medical Marijuana Usage and Applications' started by IndianaToker, Jan 19, 2006.

  1. By Jim Siegel
    Source: Columbus Dispatch

    Columbus, Ohio -- When Ohio lawmakers ponder whether the state should legalize marijuana for medicinal use, Tonya Davis hopes they think of her.
    The 42-year-old Kettering resident could take morphine or OxyContin to deal with the daily pain from back injuries suffered after what she says were years of domestic violence at the hands of her former husband. She's also struggling with inflammatory bowel disease.


    But she doesn't want those prescription drugs. They knock her out. And she's worried she'll become addicted to them.

    "I've had to deal with pain, and I've always smoked pot," Davis said. "I knew it was a medicine, but I didn't know why or how. I just know that I didn't have to take the harder drugs."


    Davis took an uncomfortable 90-minute drive to the Statehouse yesterday in hopes of persuading Senate Republican leaders to at least hold a hearing on a bill that would allow the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.


    Using a wheelchair because walking often is too painful, she visited a number of state Senate offices, dropping off a card with a one-sentence request: Please hold a hearing on Senate Bill 74. She and others want the chance to tell their stories.


    During her visit, Davis thanked Sen. Robert F. Hagan, D-Youngstown, for sponsoring the bill, and broke into tears talking to Erin Davis, a legislative aide for Sen. Tom Roberts, a Dayton Democrat.


    "We're trying to change the image, because we're not a bunch of stoners," she said.

    Tonya Davis said she met in December with Sen. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, who is chairman of the Senate Judiciary-Criminal Justice Committee, where the bill is pending.

    Jordan said he has no plans to hold a hearing on the bill in the near future, nor does he expect to allow people to testify at the one hearing he is required to hold under Senate rules.


    "Every place they try to do this, they say it's for medicinal purpose, but it's a slippery slope to try to legalize more drugs that are harmful to young people and harmful to all people," he said. "I'm just totally opposed to that concept, which is why I'm not excited about having a hearing and will probably wait as long as possible to schedule one."


    Hagan said he also has spoken to Jordan about a hearing, asking that supporters at least get the chance to make their case. But he acknowledged the difficulty of the issue - some lawmakers think marijuana is dangerous, and others worry he's trying to completely legalize it.


    Even supporters worry how the issue could be used against them in a campaign, Hagan said.


    Eleven states have laws allowing medicinal use of marijuana. Most limit the amount of the drug a person can possess.


    "I'm out there by myself right now," Hagan said. "I'm not looking to legalize marijuana. I just want the medicinal use of it."


    Though she can't afford to buy it herself, Davis said she gets marijuana from friends when she can.


    "I wouldn't be able to take one step without using marijuana as a medicine," she said, adding that the usually only walks while at home.

    She uses a vaporizer to take the drug, which she said allows her to absorb the medicinal properties of marijuana without the toxins that come with burning a joint.

    "You don't know how much it helps until you see it," said Jim Cowel of Coshocton, a friend of Davis and member of the north Ohio chapter of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, a group that wants to see marijuana legalized. "It just makes a whole difference in her day."


    Note: Committee chairman says he will delay scheduling session as long as possible.


    Complete Title: Medical-Marijuana Proponents Ask Senators for Hearing on Bill


    Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH)
    Author: Jim Siegel
    Published: Thursday, January 19, 2006
    Copyright: 2006 The Columbus Dispatch
    Contact: letters@dispatch.com
    Website: http://www.dispatch.com/
    Link to article: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21496.shtml
     

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