| Graphic: Reality Catcher |
Supporters gathered outside the Guilford County, North Carolina Courthouse Tuesday evening to rally for a bill before the Legislature to legalize medical marijuana.
The purpose was to educate people on House Bill 1380, which would allow doctors to recommend medical marijuana for seriously ill patients, reports MyFox8.com.
Harold Watts said he wants to tell people how cannabis helps those who are suffering with chronic illness or pain.
“I use it for a medical condition,” Watts said. “I have post-traumatic stress disorder, and add an eating disorder, and it’s hard keeping food down.”
Watts was recently caught growing marijuana at his home. Deputies took his pot plants and grow lights. Watts came to the Guilford County Jail on Wednesday to turn himself in, but the magistrate’s office told him no warrant has been issued.
“I want to see my day in court,” Watts said. “I think the judge of Guilford County would be interested in seeing what’s going on. I don’t think it’s right or moral for people to get arrested when trying to medicate extreme pain or suffering.
HB 1380, introduced by Rep. Earl Jones, would allow doctors to recommend marijuana to patients. Jones said he believes people are becoming more educated on the subject, and he hopes the bill will eventually pass.
“I’m optimistic,” Jones said. “The polls have jumped 30 percent when I first filed it over a year ago to 63 percent statewide.”
Jones’ bill would allow patients to possess up to 24 ounces of usable medicine, and growing would be allowed in a 100-square-foot area. Caregivers would be allowed the same protection as patients under the registry program, reports Angela Macdonald.
The bill is currently in the Health Committee of the House. Jones said he does not think the bill will pass in short session, but thinks it could pass next year.