xxdr_zombiexx

Saviano intends to smoke out Cannabis Act's support
www.pioneerlocal.com | Feb. 18, 2004

BY CATHRYN GRAN
STAFF WRITER

Debating medicinal uses of marijuana is the key reason a local state representative has sponsored a bill to amend the state Cannabis Control Act.

State Rep. Angelo "Skip" Saviano (R-77) said the bill he filed Feb. 4 was in response to requests from groups such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, oncologists, ophthalmologists and those who work with AIDS patients. Also supporting the measure is a group out of Washington, D.C. called the Marijuana Project, he said.

The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee, which has yet to schedule hearings.

"Medicinal purposes was the reason," Saviano said as to why he was becoming involved in the issue.

According to information provided by the Illinois General Assembly, the bill would create the Medical Cannabis Act that would allow a person to be issued a registry identification card to legally possess no more than one ounce of usable marijuana. Under the bill, a person's primary caregiver also may be issued a registry identification card.

"We need to get this issue out in front, to see if it really can be used as a useful tool," Saviano said. "We're looking at using (marijuana) in the treatment of about six or seven specific diseases."

Saviano noted that he believes smoking of any kind is harmful.

"Marijuana comes in tablet form, too, he said. "We're looking at the more pharmaceutical form."

Saviano said his plan is to gather enough information through hearings to learn more about the issue. The next step then would be to make an informed decision on the issue.

__________________
Torture Good, Healthcare Bad, Marijuana Evil.

There's no money for your issue so long as we're squandering $50 billion a year on the DrugWar. Ben Masel

TheNagual

You know what I do not understand?

The registry identification card.

Is this necessary? I mean, I don't see any other medications, especially those related to heroin, requiring patients to have an ID card. What exactly would it accomplish?

Are they actually serious, or mayhap they simply want to include that in the Bill to make it more appealing to Congress?

Sage

true.. didnt see that.. but at least its a step.. the next will be when people see how ridiculous their mistakes are. Politics fixes things only through mistakes.