Md. Governor Weighs Independence, GOP Loyalty


By Craig Whitlock and Lori Montgomery
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, May 23, 2003; Page A01


Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. yesterday became the nation's first Republican governor to sign into law a measure that relaxes criminal punishment for seriously ill people who use marijuana to relieve pain and other symptoms.

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In signing those two bills, along with a measure that moves Maryland closer to giving illegal immigrants the right to obtain driver's licenses, Ehrlich showed an independence that reflected his campaign to portray himself as a moderate Republican bent on reforming state government.

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He was particularly firm in his support for the marijuana measure. It does not legalize the drug but provides that seriously ill people caught using marijuana for medical purposes cannot be jailed or be fined more than $100. The White House and some conservative supporters urged the governor to reject the bill, but Ehrlich cited his longtime support for the measure.

Full story is here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28656-2003May22.html?nav=hptop_tb

What are your thoughts on "relaxed punishment" for medical MJ users? And what about giving illegal immigrants the right to obtain driver's licenses?  

I'm all for the relaxed laws over the medical use marijuana,they have been trialing it in the U.K for a couple of years now and it has had amazing and positive results.Mind you they have been using a different type to the one you smoke and providing it in tablet form as far as I recall. Even so quite frankly if it relieves painful and unpleasant symptoms good for it.

As to the driving license thing the man is barking !

I agree if they change the form from a dried leaf to a tablet. I never could stand the smell of a smoke-filled room of that stuff.

I'm all for relaxing the MJ medical use law.  If the government would only legalize and regulate it (like they now do with tobacco, alcohol, and medicine) there is a possibility it would ease some of the clogging up of the court system....and free up the cops to catch other criminals.



I don't know if I like the idea of giving illegal immigrants driver's licences....how can they "legally" drive, if they are living here "illegally"?

Personally, I think they should legalize mj. But, that is another issue. I think they should allow it for medical reasons. I know that it can relieve pain and symptoms from many ailments-cancer, AIDS, glacoma, etc. There are also less side-effects than some of the things that the pharmacutical companies try to pass on to consumers.



Cat

No driver's lisence for illegal aliens, sorry. But if weed has any medicinal value, then legalize it for that purpose. Not so Cheech and Chong can spark up when they feel the need, but just to help with medical conditions.

The Canadian government is already talking about decriminalizing small amounts of pot. Possesion of 15 grams or less would still be illegal, but the offender would just get a small fine like a parking ticket rather than a court date and a record.

And I for one think it's about time. As for medicinal marijuana, the government is already growing it's stash in a mine in Saskatchewan.

Hopefully our government will not let big brother from the south bully them into changing their minds.

I am all for legalizing MJ for medicinal use.  No to allowing illegal immigrants to have drivers licenses.

I don't have an issue with Medical Marijuana and I'm glad to see a republican that isn't limited by the party line.
As for the illegal immigrant thing-  There are areas in the country that are very tolerant of illigals (read Mexican's, most commonly) cause they need people that are willing to work in the service industry.  The article doesn't give the reason for this proposal and I would like to know it to give my final opinion.  Perhaps it allows vehicle insurance options?  

OK, I am all for any and all kinds of legalizing/lax punishment for MJ.   :)

I have a BIG problem with allowing illegal immigrants to obtain DL's.  It's hard enough to get them to become an "American Citizen" on paper and I feel this will just make it worse.

The other thing that concerns me is the fact that wouldn't this allow possible terrorists to obtain legal identification here in the US?  The only good thing I can think of to come out of this is the fact that once they are in the "system", they will be easier to track while they are here in the US?  ???

To me, the whole pot thing in nonsense.  G Washington grew hemp (or rather his slaves did), and when it was +/- confines to the black ghettos nobody cared.  Its less harmfull than booze and you can grow your own.  But that's why its illegal.

POP's point about terrorists convinces me that DL's for illegals is not a good idea, but I do think our immigration laws should be changed.  Quotas should be lifted, or at least relaxed, and controls - background checks- beefed up, ie fewer restrictions, more controls.  

Good. Now we just need it to be regulated by the government so it doesn't contain extra "ingredients" in it. Then it can be okayed for recreational use. I personally don't smoke pot, but I think it's rediculous for it to be illegal.

Wait a minute ???  I thought it WAS legal in some states to use it for medicinal purposes   ???  Anyway, I'm all for it being legalized.  Personally, it has no effect on me so I won't be one using it, but I agree that it is much less harmful than alcohol and just think of the money the govt could get if it was taxed :o

As far as illegal immigrants getting drivers licenses, that's a bunch of garbage!  (not that not having a license stops them from driving)  And, I want to know, why aren't they shipped back home if they are arrested??  There was recently a case in IL where the judge ruled that a criminal's PO doesn't have to report them to the INS if they are illegal.

In regards to legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes, my gut reaction is to be opposed to it.  However, this is probably the result of having gone through the DARE program.  As such, I am open to being educated on the topic for a future change of opinion.

Now, giving illegal immigrants driver's licenses is a more clear-cut issue.  IT'S LUDICROUS.  I guess September 11th didn't teach some people about the need for homeland security.  We shouldn't be making things easier on would-be terrorists, especially with the INS being as inept as it is.  Additionally, we need to be a lot tougher on illegal immigrants who are caught (i.e. immediate deportation).

AAAAARRRGGGHHHH...Blood pressure's rising.  I need to avoid politics like the plague.