Area legislator proposes medical marijuana study: Similar bills have languished in the legislature

Rep. Earl Jones, D-Guilford, has never been one to shy away from controversy, and he's showing that trait again with a bill he introduced to study the medicinal use of marijuana in North Carolina.

Jones, who represents parts of High Point in the N.C. General Assembly, introduced House Bill 2405 this week. The bill would allow the Legislative Research Commission to study the potential benefits of letting marijuana be used for medicinal purposes.

Jones said he envisions the study debunking myths and presenting medical evidence about the benefits of medicinal marijuana for patients suffering conditions such as cancer and glaucoma.

"What bothers me is we're missing an opportunity as a state and nation on advancements in science and the opportunity to relieve pain and suffering," said Jones, who's also been an advocate for stem-cell research in the state.

A leader of the N.C. Family Policy Council said his group objects to Jones' proposal and that it will facewide opposition. "Our concern is that the intent of it is to promote the potential legalization of marijuana in North Carolina. Even if that's done for medical purposes, it can create some significant problems," said John Rustin, vice president with the council in Raleigh.

Easier access to marijuana could promote drug addiction, Rustin said.

Jones, a three-term legislator and former Greensboro City Council member, said he thinks his proposal for a study has a reasonable chance of passing, if the study is perceived as gathering curate information. Rustin said similar bills introduced in the past on marijuana legalization have languished in the General Assembly, and he would be surprised if House Bill 2405 didn't face a similar fate.

Jones gained notice earlier this year when he was amonga handful of legislators to vote against expelling disgraced Democratic legislator Thomas Wright of Wilmington. Wright was expelled from the House just before being convicted of political corruption in office. Jones voted against the expulsion because he said it shouldn't have happenedbefore Wright's court case played out.

Jones won't face any immediate political fallout from his medicinal marijuana bill. He's unopposed for another two-year term in the fall generalelection.