Rep. Paul Lee, Committee Considers Legalized Medical Marijuana
By: Ken Curtis
Updated: November 13, 2012
A hearing this week is the first
step to making marijuana legal for medical use in Alabama. A bill will be introduced into the 2013
legislative session that would allow those who suffer from certain ailments to
receive up to 10 ounces of pot each month.
"When you are at end of life, going through cancer treatment, or your have seizures or MS there is a proven medical benefit from the use of marijuana," bill sponsor Rep. Pat Todd (D-Birmingham) told WBRC-TV.
"If your child was dying of cancer and they were in extreme pain and discomfort, you do everything in your power to eliminate that," Todd said. It is the fifth time the lawmaker has brought forth a medical marijuana plan. All have been unsuccessful.
Under the proposed measure, the Alabama Department of Public Health would provide authorization to those eligible to receive the drug.
The House Health Committee will hold an initial hearing on the matter Wednesday afternoon. Rep. Paul Lee (R-Dothan), a member of the panel, thinks Todd's bill is, again, a long shot for passage. "There will be those on both sides who can answer questions," said the first term lawmaker.
"We'll hear the pros and cons. However, I think there would have to be a lot of change (in attitudes) before such a bill would pass."
Lee said he's willing to listen to any ideas but appears far from supporting the measure.
"When you are at end of life, going through cancer treatment, or your have seizures or MS there is a proven medical benefit from the use of marijuana," bill sponsor Rep. Pat Todd (D-Birmingham) told WBRC-TV.
"If your child was dying of cancer and they were in extreme pain and discomfort, you do everything in your power to eliminate that," Todd said. It is the fifth time the lawmaker has brought forth a medical marijuana plan. All have been unsuccessful.
Under the proposed measure, the Alabama Department of Public Health would provide authorization to those eligible to receive the drug.
The House Health Committee will hold an initial hearing on the matter Wednesday afternoon. Rep. Paul Lee (R-Dothan), a member of the panel, thinks Todd's bill is, again, a long shot for passage. "There will be those on both sides who can answer questions," said the first term lawmaker.
"We'll hear the pros and cons. However, I think there would have to be a lot of change (in attitudes) before such a bill would pass."
Lee said he's willing to listen to any ideas but appears far from supporting the measure.
