ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, January 27, 1997 TAG: 9701270078
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: LAURA LAFAY STAFF WRITER
A DOCTOR TOLD the committee that other available drugs perform as medication just as well as marijuana and heroin.
The Virginia General Assembly this year will get the chance to repeal laws that allow the use of marijuana and heroin for medical purposes, a House of Delegates committee decided Sunday.
The committee made its decision over the objections of Democratic delegates Kenneth Melvin of Portsmouth and Jerrauld Jones of Norfolk.
``I was in the legislature when the original statutes were amended to allow the medical use of marijuana and heroin,'' said Jones.
``We wanted to be humane to people in pain. And no one today has said that the statutes are being abused. I've been asking everyone here, `What is the point of this?' And they all keep saying, `Well, we want to send a message to young people.' I don't see that.''
The committee heard testimony over a speaker phone from a doctor who said other drugs are as effective as marijuana in alleviating the nausea caused by chemotherapy and combating the symptoms of glaucoma. Heroin, Dr. Robert DuPont told committee members, also has many available substitutes.
Those who spoke against the bills argued that marijuana is complex and affects people in different ways. Also, they noted, federal law already prohibits doctors from prescribing both marijuana and heroin, and only eight people nationwide have legal prescriptions for marijuana .
``It's a conservative principle that, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And this ain't broke," said Roy B. Scherer of Richmond.
Said Robert Richardson, a Richmond man who said he worked with terminally ill patients: ``If you can relieve pain and suffering and you don't do it, that should be a crime.''
Among other bills the committee decided to send to the legislature:
* One that would require divorcing parents to participate in an education program and submit a child care plan to the court before a determination is made in their case.
* One that would require a study of no-fault divorces and their impact on women and children. ``The data appears to suggest a link between the ease of divorce and the social maladies of children,'' said the bill's sponsor, Virginia Beach Republican Robert McDonnell.
* * *
The committee killed a bill that would have outlawed the possession of spray paint by a minor and sent back for clarification a bill proposed by Woodbridge Democrat David Brickley that would outlaw the tattooing of a minor without parental consent.
``Does that include tattoos made by radiologists?'' Roanoke Democrat Richard Cranwell wanted to know.
``What about scar revision?'' asked Richmond Democrat A. Donald McEachin.
``If a parent consents, are they guilty of child abuse?" asked someone else.
``Brickley," said an exasperated Cranwell, "how come your bill is so complicated?''
* * *
In its short life, the Charitable Gaming Commission has stirred so much hate among volunteer groups that some lawmakers want to abolish it. While others say that's not likely to happen, lawmakers said the commission needs to do its job without stepping on too many toes.
``My people are going nuts,'' said Del. John ``Butch'' Davies, D-Culpeper, who represents a rural district that has a number of volunteer fire departments and rescue squads. ``They feel like a new level of bureaucracy shouldn't be overseeing organizations that serve for the community's benefit.''
State Sen. Malfourd ``Bo'' Trumbo, R-Botetourt, said his constituents say ``the paperwork involved is ridiculous.''
Bingo is big business for nonprofits. The estimated take: $250 million a year generated by some 2,000 organizations.
Davies and Trumbo joined other lawmakers in filing bills to kill the commission. They want regulation of bingo and raffle games returned to local governments, which oversaw the industry until scandals prompted the formation of the commission last year.
Gov. George Allen has proposed a two-year wait. The commission will expire July 1, 1999, unless the General Assembly gives it a rebirth.
Secretary of Administration Michael Thomas said a bill in the General Assembly could address many of the complaints. It would require an audit fee of up to 2 percent to pay for the commission's activities. It would eliminate a requirement that large bingo operations with annual revenues of more than $250,000 be reviewed by a certified public accountant.
A bigger battle may arise over who should be regulated. Volunteer rescue squads and fire departments are exempt.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
``We're settling down to a busy grind.''
Sen. Charles Waddell, D-Loudon County
WHAT'S NEXT
* A proposed constitutional amendment that drew some 750 people to a public hearing last week promises to ignite partisan fireworks in the state Senate this week. The amendment was recommended by a Republican-dominated committee Wednesday night in a strictly partisan vote.
The proposal made it to the floor of the Senate, which delayed action until today. Democrats have said they will not support the amendment as it is now written. The amendment would enshrine the right of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children.
* The parental notification bill, another hot-button issue, is due for a vote in a Senate committee Wednesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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