A state senator visited North Platte on Friday to solicit community support regarding cannabis use for medical purposes.
State Sen. Tommy Garrett hosted a press conference at the North Platte Public Transit Building to discuss an initiative that would permit particular individuals, including those who suffer from seizures, cancer and
Crohn’s Disease, to access cannabis oil.
State Sen. Tommy Garrett hosted a press conference at the North Platte Public Transit Building to discuss an initiative that would permit particular individuals, including those who suffer from seizures, cancer and
Crohn’s Disease, to access cannabis oil.
Garrett and others introduced LB
643, Cannabis Compassion and Care Act, during the previous legislative
session for that exact purpose.
Garrett said patients must first
visit with physicians who agree to participate in the program, and be
diagnosed with a disease that fits within the bill’s guidelines. The
doctors can then certify the patient with that illness and send the
paperwork to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, which
would oversee the program.
HHS will evaluate the application
and if the patient is approved, he or she can visit a dispensary to
receive their supply of cannabis oil.
The bill received support and
made it through committee, but not from a filibuster-proof majority.
Garrett needs additional senators to vote for the measure to override a
potential veto from Gov. Pete Ricketts, who has expressed concerns with
the measure.
To garner further support,
Garrett toured the state and stopped in several communities to discuss
marijuana’s potential medical uses. He talked about his background, his
program and his reasons for introducing it.
“I never thought I would be the
person to introduce a bill like this,” Garrett said. “A few constituents
approached me and made a compelling reason for it.”
The press conference also included testimonials from patients who have benefited or could benefit from medical marijuana.
The bill states cannabis is
effective for alleviating pain and nausea when treating illnesses. It
also states the plant has therapeutic value and helps patients finish
their treatments for HIV and Hepatitis C.
“Before I went to the meeting, I
thought there were a lot of negative effects,” said Sheriff Jerome
Kramer, who attended the press conference. “After listening to the
senator and others, I believe it has value. Based on what he said, there
are things in the bill that would prevent abuse.”
Not everyone is convinced
however. State Sen. Mike Groene, who represents North Platte and
surrounding communities, does not support the bill — mainly on
procedural grounds.
“If drug companies want to
introduce a drug into the market, they can go through the Food and Drug
Administration and get it approved,” Groene said. “They don’t have to
have it go through the legislature. I am not a medical expert and
neither are the others who voted for it.”
He also has concerns with the program’s details. He said the bill doesn’t list the dosages people can receive.
Garrett hopes to reintroduce the bill, have it debated and voted on during the upcoming session.
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