https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle-old/415/medmjbills.shtml

Medical marijuana continues to be a hot issue in statehouses around the country. While 10 states have legalized the medicinal use of the herb, only two – Hawaii and Vermont -- have done so through the legislative process, while in eight states voters approved medical marijuana by direct popular votes through the initiative process.

Here's a brief round-up of current activity in the states:

In Massachusetts, H. 2742, sponsored by Rep. Frank Smizik, was the subject of a hearing in the Joint Committee on Public Health Wednesday. The bill would allow patients suffering from a specified list of medical conditions and ailments to obtain a doctor's recommendation to use marijuana for relief. The bill also allows patients to grow their own or designate a caregiver to grow or obtain it for them and creates an ID card system through the state Department of Public Health. Groups including the Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition are lobbying to pass the bill.

In Rhode Island, legislators last year passed a medical marijuana bill, but it was vetoed by Republican Gov. Donald Carcieri. While the state Senate voted to override the veto in June, the House has yet to vote on an override. This week, the Marijuana Policy Project moved to step up the pressure, unveiling a billboard in downtown Providence urging the lower chamber to act. "Protect medical marijuana patients... Don't leave us out in the cold... Override the governor's veto," the billboard pleads. While the bill's sponsor, Rep. Thomas Slater (D-Providence), told the Providence Journal he was confident the override would occur before the session starts, House Speaker William Murphy (D-West Warwick) was not quite so definite, with a spokesman telling the Journal only that "the leadership is committed to making all efforts to pass Rep. Slater's legislation."

In Wisconsin, a measure sponsored by Rep. Greg Underheim is pending after hearings last month at the capitol in Madison. According to Gary Storck of the medical marijuana advocacy group Is My Medicine Legal Yet?, Underheim is currently polling Health Committee members in preparation for a possible committee vote. For updates on the bill, visit the Madison NORML blog.

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