By: Jon Walker
Rep. Griffith’s bill would move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II, which is the same as Oxycodone and Hydrocodone
A conservative southern Republican congressman has begun a pushing to change federal law prohibiting the use of medical marijuana. On Tuesday Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Virginia) introducedHR 4498 the ‘Legitimate Use of Medicinal Marijuana Act’ (LUMMA).
As a Republican from a state without a functioning medical marijuana program Griffith is an unusual advocate on this issue. What motivated Griffith to begin push for federal change, though, was personal experience. Years ago Griffith knew someone suffering from cancer who was helped significantly by medical marijuana — but only because the hospital was willing to turn a blind eye to this treatment. When Griffith heard about a constituent in a nearly identical situation he decided need to step up.
The bill would move marijuana from Schedule I, where it is defined as having no accepted medical value, to Schedule II, which is the same as Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. It would also allow medical marijuana to be used and produced at a state level for authorized patients with a prescription.
Full Article:
http://justsaynow.firedoglake.com/2014/04/30/medical-marijuana-gets-a-push-from-a-surprising-source-in-congress/