This week a key state senator in North Carolina has filed legislation to legalize medical marijuana for a range of debilitating conditions.
The legislation, dubbed Senate Bill 711, reveals a new regulatory structure for medical cannabis that would let doctors prescribe it for many conditions including cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, AIDS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
The bill also lays out findings that contribue to “modern medical research” and “has found that cannabis and cannabinoid compounds are effective at alleviating pain, nausea and other symptoms associated with several debilitating medical conditions.”
The bill wouldn’t legalize recreational use and it would still be illegal to drive while under the influence.
Sen. Bill Rabon, R-Brunswick is a supporter of the bill. This is promising because as chairman of the Senate Rules committee, Rabon has a lot of say over what bills move forward in the North Carolina Senate and which ones don’t.
The measure has bipartisan sponsorship, with two Republicans and two Democrats signed on, including Sen. Paul Lowe, D-Forsyth.
“We’ve got to use something other than opiates to deal with the pain issue,” Lowe said in a brief telephone interview. “That’s the bottom line.”
“A registry identification cardholder shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution or penalty in any manner for the possession or purchase of cannabis for medical use by the qualified patient if the quantity of usable cannabis possessed or purchased does not exceed an adequate supply, as determined by the qualified patient’s physician,” the bill states.
Health insurance wouldn’t be required to cover medical marijuana costs, the bill also states.
