The Vermont Senate has been discussing a bill that would allow for medical marijuana dispensaries in the state. The bill got preliminary approval from the Senate by a vote 0f 25 to 4 on Thursday, meaning patients in the state are one step closer to being able to purchase their medication at retail  medical outlets.

Vermont Senator Philip Baruth got up before the vote and told his colleagues about his aunt, who suffered from cancer and found relief with cannabis.

It was in memory of his aunt, Baruth said, that he was voting Thursday for a bill that would allow up to four medical marijuana dispensaries to be established in Vermont.

But the Senators who voted against the bill say they did so because marijuana is illegal under federal law. I guess the rest of the Senate felt the need to stand up for the sick people in their state.

After all, what is the point of having states and local representation? Many – including our founding fathers – would say it’s to keep the tyranny of the federal government at bay. Hopefully legislators in Vermont will continue to defy the feds and do what they can to protect their citizens.

And if there is a segment  of our population that needs to be protected, its medical marijuana patients.

- Joe Klare