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Lilli
Cannabis Sacrament Minister
Joined: 12 Dec 2003
Posts: 4218
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 Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 12:24 am Post subject: Missouri Senator with Cancer Supports Marijuana |
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Then why are we still not a medical cannabis state? it doesnt make sense.
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Missouri Senator with Cancer Supports Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on August 27, 2002 at 19:09:54 PT
By Paul Sloca, Associated Press Writer
Source: Associated Press
A state senator with lung cancer said Tuesday he supports the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes after witnessing firsthand the suffering of other cancer patients.
``I think that marijuana should be legalized for health reasons and I think it works and it's a proven fact that it works,'' Democratic Sen. Ronnie DePasco of Kansas City said in an interview with The Associated Press on his first day back at the Capitol since he left on April 16 for treatment.
DePasco, who was elected to the Senate in 1992 after 16 years in the House, said he would file legislation to legalize the medical use of marijuana in Missouri.
``I say, let's do it,'' said DePasco, 59, a former chain smoker who has not smoked since he found out about his cancer. He also has sponsored legislation in the past backed by the tobacco industry.
There is currently a federal ban on medicinal marijuana but many cancer patients have said the drug helps them deal with the side effects of chemotherapy.
Cultivating, possessing or distributing marijuana is illegal under federal and state law.
Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that federal anti-drug laws supersede state laws allowing medicinal marijuana in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
State Sen. Roseann Bentley, R-Springfield, met with DePasco on Tuesday and said in an interview that she would have supported DePasco's legislation if she wasn't being forced out of office because of term limits.
``It's been proven that it's a big help to patients,'' said Bentley, whose husband is a physician. ``I think I would support it. I know it's controversial and people fear that if you let it out for medical use it would spread. I think you can contain it.''
DePasco, who has two years left in his final term, also said his cancer experience has made him more of an advocate for health care reform, something he rarely delved into during his legislative career.
``I see these people when I go to chemo and they tell me about their insurance. There has to be something to help these people,'' said DePasco, whose Capitol office was once thick with smoke from lobbyists who gathered for drinks and conversation late into the evenings.
Now, DePasco's office contains several signs that read: ``Thank You For Not Smoking.'' One sign is underneath DePasco's nameplate on his desk.
``I'm not as active as I was before. Staying out late and things like that. You know this used to be the smoking office,'' said DePasco, who is to have his last chemotherapy treatment on Sept. 3. ``In the next two years, I'm really going to make a difference. I'm going to work hard on legislation and not worry too much about other things.''
DePasco has lost his hair and is thinner as a result of his chemotherapy but says he feels fairly good. He has already undergone five, six-hour chemotherapy treatments.
DePasco said he still has cancer in his lung but that the treatments have contained it. He plans to seek additional treatments in the future.
Still, DePasco plans to participate in the Legislature's annual veto session that begins Sept. 11 and plans to be back on Jan. 8, when the regular legislative session begins
Complete Title: Missouri State Senator with Cancer Supports Medical Use of Marijuana
On the Net:
Missouri Senate: http://www.senate.state.mo.us
Source: Associated Press
Author: Paul Sloca, Associated Press Writer
Published: August 27, 2002
Copyright: 2002 Associated Press
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Rev. Chazman
Cannabis Sacrament Minister
Joined: 15 Nov 2003
Posts: 1403
Location: Illinois - USA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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Isnt it sad that this is what it takes to get people to listen....
Its even more sad that all to often even after this many still dont...
Peace
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I praise good thoughts, good words, and good deeds and those that are to be thought, spoken, and done. I do accept all good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. I do renounce all evil thoughts, evil words, and evil deeds. ---Avesta: Yasna
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