Since the TD doesn't seem to be covering this issue, here's a link to an article in the Montgomery Advertiser (i don't know whether it's ok to post links to other news articles, but I'm going to do it this time)
House Panel Ok's Marijuana for Medical Use
I am very disappointed in some of the comments from the Judiciary members. Yusuf Saalam states that he is concerned that the bill, if passed, would lead to more widespread legalization of marijuana and also it would lead people to use "medical" marijuana even if they had no medical condition that necessitated it. Those are valid concerns, and I can understand them, but I, for one, think marijuana should be legal along the same lines as alcohol.
Spencer Collier has the most disappointing remarks, stating that the bill would create obstacles for law enforcement. This I totally don't understand. What obstacles would it create? It seems to me that it would lessen the burden on law enforcement if they didn't have to worry so much about marijuana. Many users would have med cards. If they have a card, they get a pass. Let them go, no hassle to law enforcement. I also disagree with adding the presumption that someone using marijuana is doing so illegally unless they can prove otherwise. It is ridiculous to make medical patients go to court to defend against a medicine they are legally using. Someone with an oxycontin prescription doesn't have to go defend themselves if they get pulled over with a prescribed bottle of pills (assuming they aren't under the influence, etc).
Lastly, one of the most interesting things about the article was the quote from Randy Garrick, who states he used marijuana and it was an effective treatment. However he got arrested and now is on probation so the doctor prescribed him morphine. That makes me feel a LOT better!