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Lit_Match

Proponents ask governor to sign Medical Marijuana bill
06-08-07|WTNH|Mark Davis

Marijuana for medical use could be available to thousands with just the stroke of a pen but it is still unknown whether Governor Jodi Rell will sign the bill.

The governor has expressed concern about the bill all along and as of tonight is still undecided. Proponents made a last ditch attempt to sway her to sign earlier today.

Todd Ford, 41, of Plainville, who suffers severe chronic pain in his right foot from a traumatic brain injury 20 years ago, is urging the governor to sign the bill into law.

"It takes care of my pain like nothing else, does no side effects at all what so ever and I think that if Jodi Rell felt my pain, she'd understand and she'd have a little compassion for me," said Ford.

Deputy House Speaker Marie Kirkley-Bey a longtime opponent of the legislation is urging the same thing after seeing two close relatives die of cancer.

"It is our responsibility as conscientious people in government to provide dignity to people from the moment they're born to the moment they die," said Kirkley-Bey.

Dozens of doctors and other health care professionals have filled out cards urging it be signed but did not attend today's event.

"Because of fear of federal reprisals from the federal government, many of those physicians cancelled and said, 'Look, I can't, I'm not going to do it on camera,'" said Lorenzo Jones, Better Way Foundation.

Hartford City Councilor Robert Painter is a retired doctor. He supports the bill and is not afraid.

"Most doctors and most legislators are reluctant to deal with this issue because it makes it seem like you're soft on crime or soft on drugs and that's not the issue here," said Painter.

Governor Rell visibly expressed her difficulty with this issue at her most recent news conference and still has made no decision.

"Spent some time talking with two doctors, one on each side of the issue, legislators have asked for a few minutes of my time and it's only fair to give them that time," said Rell.

The Governor has ten days from the day she receives the bill to sign or veto it, or it becomes law without her signature.