Politicians always tread lightly during election season. "Throw the bums out" is a common chant heard at the national and state level. For the most part, incumbents don't rock the boat during campaigns. Fear of losing undecided independents and alienating their base dictates a pragmatic approach to pre-election publicity.Avoiding tough discussions and issues is a natural inclination, especially when the stakes are high.
In an earlier column ("Suffer in silence") I discussed Maryland's medical marijuana bill and shared a brief history of this "category I" narcotic. (Incidentally, Oxycontin is a category II narcotic ... federal regulators do appreciate irony.)
Marylanders generally support legalization of medical marijuana for those suffering from debilitating diseases such as cancer, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.
With six weeks remaining in the last session of the Maryland General Assembly, Sen. David Brinkley, R-Frederick/Carroll, introduced a bill to legalize medical marijuana. The bill gained sponsors and widespread support on both sides of the aisle. The Senate approved the bill by a resounding 35-12 vote with no floor discussion.
Yet the measure was buried in two committees of the House of Delegates, ensuring that the bill would go no further and the session ended ... the House just ran out the clock.
On Tuesday, Oct. 19, Brinkley indicated in a front-page Frederick News-Post story that he would re-introduce the bill to the upcoming General Assembly session.
Twenty-one years ago, Brinkley was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The bipartisan support for the medical marijuana bill? Delegate Dan Morhaim, D-Baltimore, is board-certified in internal and emergency medicine, is on staff at Sinai Hospital, Northwest Hospital and is a faculty member at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and University of Maryland Medical School. I'd say he's got some expertise on the subject.
This legislation will not move Maryland closer to California with its "medical" pot shops on every other corner. This bill regulates the growth and distribution process with stringent controls. Abuse of the law, if passed, is the chief concern of the few powerful delegates who stalled the bill last session.
The public record suggests that some delegates fear that physicians will abuse the law and prescribe marijuana needlessly ... that it will contribute to the contraband already on the street. Wait, you're telling me that abuse in the physician corps will skyrocket? Are you kidding me?
The House of Delegates needs to listen to experts within its ranks. They should stop making decisions based on emotions and archaic fears. First and foremost, they need to listen to their constituents.
I spoke with Brinkley last week about the timing of this announcement. I mean, with the elections looming, why take chances and go public with a controversial issue?
His response: "Based on my experience with cancer, I can take a stand on this legislation for patients and their families ... that's why I'm introducing it early in the session."
I'm no seasoned political operative, nor am I a savvy chess player. I probably wouldn't have advised this public announcement from Brinkley this close to the elections. But then again, I do understand conviction.
The Maryland House needs to dig its collective head out of the sand -- and listen to their internal experts and colleagues in the Senate.
... in times like these ...
Hardy R. Stone Jr.
writes from Walkersville.
(Bluepoint1@comcast.net)
