Thank you for your correspondence regarding Senate Bill 2865, also known as the Alternative Treatment for Serious Diseases Causing Chronic Pain and Debilitating Conditions Act.  This bill would allow for persons, under direction from a physician, to use cannabis as a medicine for the debilitating condition they suffer from.  An example given was Multiple Sclerosis, or MS.  Another example given was Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

While the arguments for this treatment are heart wrenching, I must say they are not convincing.  Before I could give support to such a law, I would have to see more studies on the health effects of cannabis.  Until then, I cannot support such a piece of legislation.

There are other factors in my decision at this time.  The law, as written, would need tighter restrictions to keep cannabis out of the hands of children.  It would also need to help protect property owners, such as apartment owners, who tenants might decide to start grow operations in their buildings.  With loopholes such as these and many others, this is a bill I just cannot support.

Thank you again for your correspondence.  I invite your continued interest on other issues that come before the General Assembly.

David Koehler

State Senator, 46th District