THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 27, 1997 TAG: 9701270074
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Staff writer Laura LaFay and the Associated Press contributed
to this report.
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 119 lines
Using marijuana as medicine to be taken up again
The Virginia General Assembly this year will get the chance to repeal laws that allow the use of marijuana and heroin for medical purposes, a House of Delegates committee decided Sunday.
The committee made its decision over the objections of two Hampton Roads delegates: Democrats Kenneth Melvin and Jerrauld Jones.
``I was in the legislature when the original statutes were amended to allow the medical use of marijuana and heroin,'' said Jones.
``We wanted to be humane to people in pain. And no one today has said that the statutes are being abused. I've been asking everyone here, `What is the point of this?' And they all keep saying, `Well, we want to send a message to young people.' I don't see that.''
The committee voted after hearing testimony over a speaker phone from a doctor who said other drugs are as effective as marijuana when it comes to alleviating the nausea caused by chemotherapy and combating the symptoms of glaucoma. Heroin, Dr. Robert DuPont told committee members, also has many available substitutes.
Those who spoke against the bills argued that marijuana is complex, not easily duplicated and affects different people in different ways. In addition, they noted, federal law already prohibits doctors from prescribing marijuana and heroin, and only eight people nationwide have legal prescriptions for marijuana.
``It's a conservative principle that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And this ain't broke,'' said Roy. B. Scherer of Richmond.
``What if it was a member of your family?'' asked Robert Richardson, a Richmond man who said he worked with terminally ill patients.
``If you can relieve pain and suffering and you don't do it, that should be a crime.''
ALSO SUNDAY
Among other bills the committee decided to send to the legislature:
One that would mandate divorcing parents to participate in an education program and submit a child care plan to the court before a determination is made in their case.
One that would mandate a study of no-fault divorces and their impact on women and children. ``The data appears to suggest a link between the ease of divorce and the social maladies of children,'' said the bill's sponsor, Virginia Beach Republican Robert F. McDonnell.
Committee members killed a bill that would have outlawed the possession of spray paint by a minor.
They sent back for clarification a bill proposed by Woodbridge Democrat David G. Brickley that would outlaw the tattooing of a minor without parental consent.
The committee meets next Tuesday.
LOOKING AHEAD
Lawmakers want bingo commission abolished
In its short life, the Charitable Gaming Commission has so angered volunteer groups that some lawmakers want to abolish it.
While others say that's not likely to happen, lawmakers said the commission needs to do its job without stepping on too many toes.
``My people are going nuts,'' said Del. John J. ``Butch'' Davies III, D-Culpeper, who represents a rural district that has a number of volunteer fire departments and rescue squads. ``They feel like a new level of bureaucracy shouldn't be overseeing organizations that serve for the community's benefit.''
State Sen. Malfourd W. ``Bo'' Trumbo, R-Botetourt, said his constituents gripe that ``the paperwork involved is ridiculous.''
Bingo is ``big business'' for non-profits. The estimated take: $250 million a year generated by some 2,000 organizations.
Davies and Trumbo joined other lawmakers in filing bills to kill the commission. They want regulation of bingo and raffle games returned to local governments, which oversaw the industry until scandals prompted the formation of the commission last July.
Gov. George Allen has proposed a two-year wait. By July 1, 1999, the commission will expire, unless the Assembly gives it a rebirth.
Secretary of Administration Michael E. Thomas said a bill in the General Assembly could address many of the complaints. It would require an audit fee of up to 2 percent to pay for the commission's activities. It would eliminate a requirement that large bingo operations with annual revenues of more than $250,000 be reviewed by a certified public accountant.
A bigger battle may arise over who should be regulated. Volunteer rescue squads and fire departments are exempt.
State Sen. Charles J. Colgan of Prince William, who supports the commission, wants to treat all bingo operations alike. ``If you make one exception, everyone will start lining up,'' said state Sen. Charles R. Hawkins, R-Pittsylvania, chairman of a subcommittee which reviewed the legislation last week.
But Virginia Beach delegate Glenn R. Croshaw said the House is likely to increase the number of exemptions, setting up a confrontation with the Senate.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
``We're settling down to a busy grind.''
- Sen. Charles L. Waddell, D-Loudon County.
WHAT'S NEXT
A proposed constitutional amendment that drew some 750 people to a public hearing last week promises to ignite partisan fireworks in the state Senate this week. The amendment was recommended by a GOP-dominated committee Wednesday night in a strictly partisan vote.
The proposal made it to the floor of the Senate which delayed action until today. Democrats have said they will not support the amendment as it is written. The amendment would enshrine the right of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children.
The week also should see legislators getting down to some real work. Until now, most committees have been shunting controversial bills into subcommittees. Most of the legislation that has passed is relatively noncontroversial.
Another hot-button issue on this week's agenda: The parental notification bill is due for a vote in a Senate committee Wednesday.
Lawmakers will dive into how to spend a budget surplus.
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY