Raleigh to hear from marijuana advocates | Serving Henderson, Transylvania and Polk Counties | North Carolina | BlueRidgeNow.com
Advocates and local residents will speak before the state House this week to encourage a study into the use of medicinal marijuana.Polk County resident Jean Marlowe, Democratic Rep. Earl Jones of Guilford County, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jocelyn Elders and Saluda resident Ray Pague plan to speak Wednesday at the Capitol auditorium.
Jones said he will introduce a measure calling for a study to be done on the benefits of medicinal marijuana.
“Dr. Elders will address the Science and Technology Committee of the House about this subject,” Jones said. “I have a bill that will be requesting a study committee.”
Jones said he is introducing the bill because he believes marijuana may hold a potential cure for ailments or pain.
“Marijuana has been proven in studies to reduce the pain and suffering in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and cancer,” he said. Jones said his top priority in policy making is to benefit the public, and in this case helping the public manage pain.
“There is not a reason for marijuana not to be used legally in North Carolina if it could help our residents manage their pain and suffering,” he said.
You can hear my interview with Rep. Jones on the archived podcast from June 2.
