Sen. Tommy Garrett goes over notes during debate.
State Sen. Tommy Garrett of Bellevue intends on giving priority designation to LB 643, the Medical Cannabis Bill.
The American Epilepsy Society recently sent a letter to Nebraska lawmakers stating their concerns with this medical marijuana oil bill. Senator Garrett says he has plenty of other support from other medical associations and there is a good reason why the American Epilepsy Society is against it.
Senator Garrett says, “If you do a little fact checking on them, big pharmaceutical sponsors them and we’ve got eighteen letters from various epilepsy associations M-S associations and everything else. Look who is backing the American Epilepsy Society.”
Opponents also say medical marijuana oil needs to be researched scientifically before it can be approved. Senator Garrett says he has medical evidence from universities from around the world and right here in the U-S that proves the medicine’s success. He says there are 23 states that have legalized medical marijuana oil and if there any problems we would of heard about it. He wants to stress this is medical marijuana oil that can’t be smoked or used for recreational purposes. This is not to get “stoners” or “dopers” high. Senator Garrett says, “I tell folks that you can walk two blocks from the state capitol and buy all the marijuana on the street that you want. Who are you fooling here?”
Senator Garrett’s bill is modeled after Minnesota’s medical marijuana law and he says the program started last July. He says there are over 1,000 patients that are enrolled. He went up to visit with other members of the Legislature and met with patients. He says meeting with the patients was a wonderful experience and this medical marijuana is helping them where traditional medicine failed.