I support medical marijuana, but only if properly regulated. My impression is that it is not properly regulated in California, so I need to look at the other states that have approved it to see who does a good job. I think something like the Michigan version is good.

[Note: This has been, and should continue to be a state issue, but it has federal implications because marijuana is a controlled substance under federal law.]

I am not generally in favor of allowing it for recreational use, but think that criminal penalties for minor possession should be reduced to the level of a misdemeanor. This is generally the case in Kentucky, where position of small amounts (less than 8 ounces) is a class B misdemeanor, punishable with a fine or up to 45 days in jail, or both. (Ken. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 218A.1422.) It is also a crime to cultivate and traffic the drug.

I don’t know if it should be removed from the Federal Controlled Substance list, but it certainly shouldn’t be a Class 1 drug. It should probably go way down the list, which would allow more testing of its use for medicinal purposes.

Finally, I support current legislation to allow the growing and production of industrial hemp. There are not many times when I can say that I agree with Sen. Paul & McConnell, but this is one of them.

Links:

Medical Marijuana Pro-Con at http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/

1-800 Medical Marijuana at http://1800medicalmarijuana.com/

Marijuana Policy Project at http://www.mpp.org/states/kentucky/