Move to Legalize Medical Marijuana

Lawmakers held a public hearing Wednesday

A bill to legalize medical marijuana is once again being debated at the State Capitol.

Similar measures have failed in the past, but this time around supporters say the legislation offers safeguards.

It proposes a specific system for licensing medical marijuana producers, dispensing of the drug and registering qualified patients.

Advocates for the bill testified at a public hearing Wednesday.

"You can't get rid of that pain," Clinton resident George Burgess said. "It's always there. It always hurts."

Burgess takes marijuana after suffering a debilitating accident more than three years ago.

He says pot is the only thing that works effectively.

"You don't get it from any pill that I've had except morphine, but I don't want to take morphine," Burgess said.

Opponents of the bill say it not only goes against federal law, but it opens up a dangerous precedent.

"This bill also sends a powerfully negative message to young people," Sen. Toni Boucher said.

Sen. Boucher has been against similar bills in years past.

In 2007 a medical marijuana bill passed the house and senate, but was vetoed by then Republican Governor Jodi Rell.

There were many concerns over how the drug would be produced and distributed.

"What we're trying to do through this bill is make it a mechanism where you can acquire the marijuana in a legal manner," Judiciary Committee co-chair Rep. Gerald Fox said.

Last year a law was passed that decriminalizes possession of small amounts of pot.

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