Civil unions bill now signed into law in Delaware. Up next to be signed, Medical Marijuana

[LynneSin]

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20110511/NEWS/110511050/Civil-unions-bill-now-signed-into-law-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home

Civil unions bill now signed into law in Delaware

WILMINGTON -- Gov. Jack Markell tonight signed Delaware's civil unions bill into law -- a law that, effective Jan. 1, 2012, will provide legal protections and benefits for same-sex couples.

Markell signed the bill before a jammed, cheering house at The Queen in Wilmington. About 600 people were expected at the reception and signing organized by Equality Delaware, and it appeared that they all showed up.

"Tonight, with the signing of this law, we say to any Delawarean regardless of sexual orientation - if you’ve committed yourself to someone, and you’ve made that pledge to spend your life together in partnership, when life or death decisions come, we honor your right to make those decisions together," Markell said.

"Tonight, we say to loving and committed couples across the state who want the law to endorse the promise that they made long ago in their hearts - 'Your love is equally valid and deserving, your family is now equal under the law.'

"And tonight, we say to children of gay and lesbian parents in committed relationships all over our state – and there are so many wonderful kids, including many here tonight, growing up in those families all over our state – we say to you: It doesn't matter if your parents are gay or straight. The people you love and look up to and that are dedicating their lives and love to raising you – those are your parents.

And btw, Medical Marijuana passed it's final hurdle and will be signed next by Governor Markell.

I love the fact that here in Delaware we've had democrats running both our congress and governor house forever and this year we have a $320million surplus. Sure concessions & cuts were made but we worked with the unions, not against them. So for you republican governors out there that think it can't be done - screw you. Oh, and my property taxes are still relatively cheap compared to neighboring states and we still have no sales tax.

[treestar]

1. K & R

Go Delaware!

[murphyj87]

2. The law....

Why is the United States so far behind Canada in yet these other ways, in addition to health care, finance, unemployment rate and jobs created, just to scratch the surface? Canada is decades more progressive than the United States, after all, we elected 102 Bernie Sanders clones (102 New Democrats, what Americans would call Democratic Socialists, but very mainstream in Canada) out of 308 seats in Parliament last week.

The law in Canada since 2005 has defined marriage nationwide as "the union of two persons to the exclusion of all others", in other words, persons may be either 2 males, 2 females, or a male and a female.

Medical Marijuana has been legal in Canada since 2001.

Where does Canada stand on the issue of medical use of marihuana?

On July 30, 2001, Health Canada implemented the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations, which clearly define the circumstances and the manner in which access to marihuana for medical purposes will be permitted. The Regulations contain three main components: Authorizations to possess dried marihuana; licences to produce marihuana, which include Personal-Use Production Licences and Designated Person Production Licences; and access to supply of marihuana seeds or dried marihuana.

Does this legislation mean that marihuana is a legal substance?

No. Marihuana is categorized as a controlled substance. It is not legal to grow or possess marihuana except with legal permission by Health Canada. The Marihuana Medical Access Regulations allow access to marihuana to people who are suffering from grave and debilitating illnesses. It is important to note that the Regulations deal exclusively with the medical use of marihuana. They do not address the issue of legalizing marihuana.

Who is eligible to obtain an authorization to possess marihuana?

The regulations outline two categories of people who can apply to possess marihuana for medical purposes.

Category 1: This category is comprised of any symptoms treated within the context of providing compassionate end-of-life care; or the symptoms associated with the specified medical conditions listed in the schedule to the Regulations, namely:

Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from multiple sclerosis;
Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from a spinal cord injury;
Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from spinal cord disease;
Severe pain, cachexia, anorexia, weight loss, and/or severe nausea from cancer;
Severe pain, cachexia, anorexia, weight loss, and/or severe nausea from HIV/AIDS infection;
Severe pain from severe forms of arthritis; or
Seizures from epilepsy.

Applicants must provide a declaration from a medical practitioner to support their application.

Category 2: This category is for applicants who have debilitating symptom (s) of medical condition (s), other than those described in Category 1. Under Category 2, persons with debilitating symptoms can apply to obtain an Authorization to Possess dried marihuana for medical purposes, if a specialist confirms the diagnosis and that conventional treatments have failed or judged inappropriate to relieve symptoms of the medical condition. While an assessment of the applicant's case by a specialist is required, the treating physician, whether or not a specialist, can sign the medical declaration.

[LynneSin]

3. Hey we're getting there one step at a time

:D

[JTFrog]

4. K&R!