Hope of a medical marijuana program in the state of Massachusetts in the future may soon become a reality. A new bill being considered by state lawmakers would legalize marijuana for medical use and setup a regulated system involving 19 dispensaries located statewide. Patients would also be allowed to cultivate their own medical marijuana being allowed up to 24 plants in locked facilities and up to four ounces of smoke-able marijuana at any time.

Stating that, “This bill is about more than just commonsense, it is about compassion.” Representative Frank Smizik, D-Brookline, testified before the Legislature’s public health committee on Tuesday, “Marijuana has proven its medical efficiency.”

Smizik goes on to say, “These seriously ill patients do not always have the luxury of popping a pill to ease their suffering,” also he notes, “For some, relief cannot be found in the pharmaceuticals available to them. For others, the side effects of such drugs are too harsh to handle.”

It is important to remember that for every supporter of the medical marijuana bill there are those who would rather see thousands suffer without the medicine they could be provided legally, with the worry of the program getting out of hand. It’s hiccups and debates like this that stall medical marijuana programs from taking off and it is critical that the people with specific illnesses get the medicine that works for them. This is where you come in! If you are a resident of Massachusetts, share this story or better yet, contact your local representatives and urge them to support this upcoming medical marijuana bill for your state.

The potential patients are counting on help from everyone.