Seen in the Courant:
The legislation would have allowed patients with conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis or AIDS to grow up to four marijuana plants in their homes with a doctor’s prescription.
But in a three-page veto message, Rell said her sympathies for those with unmanageable pain did not overcome her concern that citizens still would have to break the law to obtain marijuana or marijuana seeds.
“There are no pharmacies, storefronts or mail order catalogs where patients or caregivers can legally purchase marijuana plants or seeds,” Rell said. “I am troubled by the fact that in essence this bill forces law-abiding citizens to seek out drug dealers to make their marijuana purchases.”
While I’m no expert in the use of marijuana as a means to alleviate pain, I am married to someone with a chronic pain syndrome. We’re fortunate to have health and drug coverage that are generous enough and understanding doctors that make it possible for her to get some relief. However, I also am very well aware that for folks who are not so fortunate, if the sole choices are unbearable pain and acquiring some herb… it’s likely the current state of the law wouldn’t factor into the decision.