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North Carolina lawmakers hear pleas from veterans, others to legalize medical marijuana

North Carolina lawmakers hear pleas from veterans, others to legalize medical marijuana
POINT UNIVERSITY STUDENT POLICE SAY WAS KILLED AT THE HANDOFS HER EX-BOYFRIEND. SHOOTINGS AND HOMICIDES ARE ON THE RISE IN MANY CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WI NSTON-SAM LEPOLICE NOW USING TECHNOLOGY TO TRY TO TAKE ON GUN VIOLENCE. IN A STORY YOU’LL SEE FIRSTN O WXII 12, JUSTIN SHRAIR SHOWS US ONE OF THE TOOLS THE DEPARTMENT IS USING TO GET VIOLENT PEOPLE OFF THE STETRE REPORTER: THE SPECIAL TEAM THAT INVESTIGATES VIOLENT CRIMES WHERE A GUN IS USED IS CALLED THE VIOLENT FIREARMS INVESTIGATIONS TEAM OR V-F.IT THE TOOL IS CALLED THE SHOOT TANK. IN SIDE THEUB PLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER IN WINSTON-SALEM AIS TOOL SGT. CHRIS DIAMONT AND HIS VIOLENT FIREARMS INVESTIGATIONS TEAM USE TO HELP TAKE SHOOTERS OFF THE STREETS. >> WE TARGET THAT REPEAT SHOEROT WHO HAS DONE MULTIPLE SHOOTINGS, WE TARGET THAT INDIVIDUAL . REPORTER: IT’S CALLED THE SHOOT TANK. IN A DEMONSTRATION BY SGT. DIAMONT, AN OFFICER FIRST PUTS ON PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, LEIK EYE PROTECTION, EAR PROTECTION , AND A BULLET RESISTANT VEST, BEFORE LOADING A GUN AND FIRING TW O ROUNDSNT IO THE TANK. >> ANY GUN THAT SISZED INEI COURT, IN THE COURSE OF A CREIM BE IT A FIREARM POSSESSION VIOLATION OR A GUN THAT IS USED IN A CRIME OR SEIZED IN A DRUG RAID OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, ALL OF THOSE GUNS COME THROUGH US WHICH IS ROUGHLY ABOUT 100A0 YEAR AND WE WILL TEST FIRELL A OF THOSE GUNS. REPORTER: THE GOAL IS TO BE ABLE TO GET BALLISTIC INFORMATI ANDON EVENTUALLY MATCH THE GUN TO THE CRIME. >> SO THAT WE KNOW TO GO BACK AND TARGET THOSE SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS. IT MAYBE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAD THE GUN WAS NOT INVOLVED BUT THEY MAY HAVE BOUGHT IT FROM SOMEONE WHO IS INVOLVED IN THOSE CRIM.ES ALL OF THE INFORMATION IS ENTERED INTO A SYSTEM, CALLED NIBIN OR THE NATIONAL INTEATGRED BALLISTIC INFORMATION NETWORK WHICH IS A NATIONWIDE DATASEBA THAT EXAMINES BALLISTIC EVIDENCE FROM CRIME SCENES AND TEST FEDIR CRIME GUNS TO LINK SHOOTING CASES TOGETH.ER IN WINSTON-SALEM GUN VIOLENCE IS ON THE RE.IS POLICE SAY SO FAR THIS YEAR, 98 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SHOT, THERE HAVE 15 HOMICIDES COMMITTED WITH A GUN, AND 134 HOMES HAVE BEEN SHOTNT IO. DIAMONT SAYS HE ALONG WITH FOUR DETECTIVES, TWO TASK FOR OFFICERS WITH THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES, ONE ATF ENT AGAND FOUR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES ARE WORKING ON THE MANY OF THOSE SHOOTINGS BY TARGETING THE SHOOTER WITH THE GOAL OF GETTING THEM OFF THE STREETS AND IN JAIL. >> PUTTING SOMEONE WHO HAS SHOT SOMEONE WHO IS WILLING TO TAKE SOMEONE’S LIVE, IN PRISON AND GET THEM OFF THE STREETS AND TRY TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF JUSTICE FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND FOR THAT FAMILY IS THE MO RSTEWARDING PART OF MY CAREER THAT I’VE EVER HAD IN MY 19 Y.EA REPORTER: ALTHOUGH VFIT USES ALL TYPES OF TECHNOLOGY THEY SAY THEY CANNOT PUT VIOLENT PEOPLE BEHIND BARS WITHOUT THE PUBLIC’S LPHE CHRISTINE: THE MAN POLICE YSA KILLED A 19-YEAR-OLD HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY STUDENT MAKING HIS FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT TODAY. DEPUTIES ARRESTED MICHAEL CADO’GAN IN EASTERN TENNESSEE MOND.AY INVESTIGATORS SAY CADOGAN WAS DRIVING HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND, GIANNA DELGADO’S CAR, WITH HER BODY INSIDE. ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, HE PLANNED TO DISPOSE OF HER BODY THERE. NEW TONIGHT, WE’RE HEARING FROM GIANNA’S HEARTBROKEN FATHER, RICARDO. HE SAID HIS DAUGHTER HAD BROKEN UP WITH CADOGAN BUT THE TWO WERE STILL LIVING TOGETHER. HE SAID GIANNA WAS SMART, AND FULL OF HOPES AND DREAMS, SHE’S -- DREAMS. >> SHE’S GOING BTOE MISSEDY BA LOT OF PEOPLE. EVERYONE WHO CROSSED PATHS WITH HER. SHE HAS LEFT A LITTLE PIECE OF RSELHEF IN EVERYONE’S HEART AND MIND. -- AND MINE. CHRISTE:IN CADOGAN WILL BE IN COURT IN TENNESSEE AGAIN ON MONDAY. ONCE HE’S EXTRADITED TO NORTH CALIRONA, HIGH POINT POLICE WILL CHARGE HIM WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND FELONY CONCEALMENT OF DEATH. THE SHERRI DENESE JACKNSO FOUNDATION IS A ORGANIZATION IN GREENSBORO THAT SERVES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS. IT WAS FOUNDED 13 YEARS AGO, FOLLOWING THE KILLINOFG 27-YEAR-OLD SHERRI JACKSON. HER BODY WAS FOUND IN 2008, NEARLY TWO YEARS AFTERHE SAS W REPORTED MISSING. THE NON-PROFIT HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE CMUOMNITY. ITS FOUNDER PORTIA SHIPMAN IS STEPPING DOWN AS IT’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. SHTEE LLS US THE FOUNDATION’S GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IS AWARENESS. >> BECAUSE OF THE FOUNDATION,E W HAVE TWO FAMILY JUSTEICEN CTERS, ONE IN GREENSBORO AND ONE IN HIGH POINT. EYTH DID NOTAV HE THAT BEFORE. WEAV HE A UNIT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THEY DID NOT HAVE THAT BEFORE. THE GREENSBORO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A VICTIMS UNIT FOR FAMILIES GOING THROUGH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THERE ARE OTHER SOURCES FORRE. VICTIMS GOING THROUGH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. CHRISTE:IN IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OR SEXUAL ASSAULT, CALL 911 OR THE FAMILY SERVICE OF THE PIEDMONT 24-HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE AT THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN, 336-273-7273. TODAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN UNVEILING A FIVE-POINT PLAN TO ADDRESS THE RISING TIDE OF VIOLENT CRIS INME MAJOR CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE PLAN FOCUSES ON THE RGSUE OF GUN VIOLENCE AND AIMS TO SFTHI PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY TO HELP COMMUNITIES LIVING IN FEAR. ALICE BARR HAS THE LATEST FROM WASHINGTON. REPOER:RT ON MONDAY IN ST. LOUIS, THREE PEOPLE SHOT AND KILLED, FOUR MORE INJUD.RE TWO KILLED, SIX INJURED IN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA LAST WEEK, AND IN CHICAGO, EIGHT KILLED IN MULTIPLE SHOOTINGS IN ONE DAY, INCLUDING A 19-YEAR-OLD ABOUT TO RECEIVE HER HIGH SCHOOL PLA.DI >> A MASSACRE, WHY? WHAT HAPPENED? WHY? WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN? REPORTER: TODAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE, PRESIDENT BIDEN RESPONDING TO PLEAS FROM CITIZENS LIVING IN FEAR, AND POLITICAL CALLS UTOSE THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE TO ADDRESS THE CRIS.IS >> WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER NOW, AS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, AS AMERICANS , AND FULFILL OUR GREATEST -- OUR FIRST RESPONSIBILITY TO GOVERNMENT IOUN REM DOCRACY, TO KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE. ENOUGH. REPORTER: THE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCING NEW PROPOSALS TO STEM THE FLOW OF GUNS, AND CRACK WNDO ON ROGUE GUN DEALERS. >> WE’LL FIND YOU AND WE WILL SEEK YOUR LICENSE TO SELL GUNS. WE’LL MAKE SURE YOU CAN’T SELL DEATH AND MAYHEM ON OUR STRES.ET REPORTER: THE FIVE-POINT ANPL ALSO SEEKS TO POUR MORE RESOURCES INTO POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONS, AND INVEST IN PRRAOGMS FOR KIDS. THE PRESIDENT TRYING TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN PROGRESSIVESHO W WANT TO OVERHAUL POLICING AND REPUBLICANS WHO SAY HE’S SOFT ON CRIME. >> FROM COAST TO COAST, AMERICAN FAMILIES ARE FACING AN EXPLOSION OF VIOLENT CRIME. REPORT:ER NEW FEDERAL FUNDING FROM THE COVID RELIEF PACKAGE WILL LET COMMUNITIES KEEP REMO POLICE ON THE STREETS, AND INVEST IN COMMUNITY POLICING. USING MONEY EARMARKED FOONER EPIDEMIC TO HELP FIGHT ANOTHER. IN WASHINGTON, ALICE BARR, NBC NE. CHRISTINE: IT’S BEEN ONE WEEK SINCE A FAMILY OF NI WNEENT OVER A DAM ON THE DAN RIVER IN EDEN. FOUR RELATIVES DIED, INCLUDING A SEVEN-YEAR-OLDOY B. FOUR FAMILY MEMBERS SURVIVED. THE NINTH TUBER, 35-YEAR-OLD TERESA VILLANO IS STILL MISSING TONIGHT. OFFICIALS SAY ALL OF THEIR INNER TUBES WERE CONNECTED. ONE OF THE SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS TOLD OUR NBC AFFILTEIA IN RALEIGH IT WAS 20-HOURS BEFORE SHE WAS RESCUED. IRENE VILLANO SHE SAYS SHE TRIED TO SAVE HER STEP MOTHER, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING SHE COULDO.D >> WE TRIED HER OUT OF THE WATER -- TO BRING HER OUT OF THE WATER. WE WERE TRYING TO HOLD OURSVEELS UP, TOO. I WAS JUST SCREAMING FOR HELP MOST OF THE TIME. CHRISTINE: DUKE ENERGY SAYS NEW AND LARGER SIGNS WARNING PEOPLE ABOUT THE DAM WILL BE POSTED ALONG THE RIVER. THE FDA PLANS TO ADD A WARNING TO COVID-19 MRNA VACCINES OUAB THE RISK OF MYOCARDITIS AND PERICARDITIS. THE TERMS REFER TO INFLAMMATION OF THE HEART MUSCLANE D SURROUNDING TISSUE. BOTH PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES CONTAIN MRNA. THIS COMES AFTER REPORTS OF RARE INFLAMMATORY HEART CONDITIONINS SOME VACCINATED YOUNG ADULTS AND TEENS. THE CASES RESOLVED QUICKLY, AND EXPERTS SAY THE VACCINES’ BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE RIS.SK STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WORKING TO IDENTIFY NORTH CAROLINA’S FIRST MILLION DOLLAR COVID-19 VCIACNATION LTEOTRY WINNER. THE WINNER WAS SELECTED TODAY BY A RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR. DHHS WILL MATCH THAT NUMBER TO A VACCINATED PERSON, AND WORK TO VERI TFYHAT PERSON’S ELIGIBILITY. FROM THERE, THE WINNER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE NEXT DRAWING IS IN TWO-WEEKS. ANYONE WHO’S VACCINATED AFTER JUNE TENTH, HAS DOUBLE THE CHANCE TO N.WI TOMORROW, PRESIDENT BIDEN GIVING IT HIS BEST SHOT, TO ENCOURAGE NORTH CAROLINIANS TO GET THE SHOT. THE PRESIDENT MAKING HIS FIRST STOP IN NORTH CAROLINA SINCE TAKING OFFICE. HE WILL BE IN RALEIGH, AS PART OF THE EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET A COVID-19 VACCINE. HE WILL BE JOINED BY GOVERNOR COOPER. THIS FRIDAY, KAMALA HARRIS WILL VISIT THE U.S. MEXICO BORDER FOR THE FIRST TIME AS VICE PRESENIDT. SHE’S LEADING THE WHITE HOEUS EFFORTS TO STEM THE FLOW OF MIGRATION FROM CENTRAL AMERICA THROUGH MEXICO. THE U.S. SAW A SURGE OF BORDER CROSSINGS THIS SPRG.IN CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICIALS SAY THEY ENCOUNTEDER MORE THAN 180,000 MIGRANTS LAST MOH.NT A WOMAN FROM INDIANA HAS BECOME THE FIRST OF NEARLY 500 DEFENDANTS TO BE SENTENCED FOR THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION AT THE U.S. CAPITOL. UNDER A PLEA DEAL WITH PROSECUTORS, THE 49-YEAR-OLD WAS SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS PROBATION, 120 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SEICRVE, AND A $500 RESTITUTION FEE AFTER ADMITTING TO ENTERING THE CAPITOL. ALSO TODAY, A MEMBER OF THE OATH KEEPERS EXTREMIST GROUP HAS PLEADED GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT IN THE ATTACK. HE’S ALSO AGREED TO CPERAOOTE WITH PROSECUTORS, WHICH IS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD FOR THE MASSIVE INVESTIGATION INTOHE T INSURREC
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North Carolina lawmakers hear pleas from veterans, others to legalize medical marijuana
Calling on state lawmakers to legalize medical marijuana in North Carolina, several veterans on Wednesday shared stories of their own battles or those of their comrades after they returned from deployment, NBC affiliate WRAL reports."I personally looked down the barrel of my own service weapon," said Josh Biddix, a Marine and retired police officer. Click the video player above to watch headlines from WXII 12 News."I have more deceased contacts in my phone due to suicide than I have lost men in combat over the last 20 years," said Chase Roth, a Marine and Wilmington businessman.The veterans and friends of people who died of cancer testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee about the benefits of medical marijuana to relieve the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and the pain associated with cancer treatment. The committee held what's believed to be the first legislative hearing ever in North Carolina on a bill to allow medical marijuana to be prescribed and used in the state. Medical marijuana bills have been filed in every legislative session for years, but legislative leaders usually shelve them, according to WRAL.But Sen. Bill Rabon, a Brunswick County Republican and chairman of the powerful Senate Rules Committee, said Wednesday it's time to consider the issue.Rabon is a sponsor of Senate Bill 711, called the NC Compassionate Care Act. The bill lays out a regulatory structure for medical cannabis that would let doctors prescribe it for a number of conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, PTSD and other debilitating conditions.The measure would allow only 10 "seed-to-sale" providers of medical marijuana. Each could operate up to four dispensaries across the state. Providers would have to go through a rigorous application process with the state Department of Health and Human Services and a new regulatory commission, according to WRAL.Patients seeking prescriptions would have to meet with physicians, who would have to document the condition under which a marijuana prescription was issued. Physicians also would have to undergo annual training on medical cannabis.Dr. Julie Manly, a Duke University-trained physician who's now studying medical marijuana, said she believes legalizing it in North Carolina would reduce the amount of opioid addiction and overdoses in the state."Medical cannabis users are not criminals. They're your mothers and fathers, grandparents, co-workers and neighbors," Manly said. "They're your fellow North Carolinians who are trying to find comfort and relief for very serious medical conditions."Robert Elliott, a Harnett County farmer, and Rob Rens, a New Hanover County businessman, told lawmakers about friends dying of cancer who had to break the law because smoking marijuana was the only way to get relief for their pain. Prescribed drugs didn't help the patients and often made their condition worse, both men said." provided him with the opportunity to live with what little life he had left," Rens said, noting his friend died in May. Biddix became choked up and frequently had to pause during their statements as he recounted the pain, anxiety and sleepless nights they endured after returning from the Middle East. He said he found relief only after finding medical marijuana. "I do not seek to get stoned," Biddix said. "I do seek pain relief and stress relief from anxiety and PTS without a plethora of medications. Cannabis, in my opinion, is a lot better and a lot safer alternative than alcohol."But social conservatives argued that medical marijuana provides a similar threat of addiction."I can only pray that you see through the haze," said the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina. "Smoke marijuana is not medicine."Some lawmakers also expressed reservations about legalizing marijuana, even if only to treat a specific set of ailments."I'm trying to look at it with open eyes," said Sen. Chuck Edwards, a Henderson County Republican. But other committee members noted most states already allow medical marijuana, and it's long overdue in North Carolina."It's time we stop making criminals out of caregivers," said Sen. Natasha Marcus, a Mecklenburg County Democrat. Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed, another Democrat representing Mecklenburg County, said the state needs to go further and decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.The committee didn't vote on the bill, and no date was set for the next hearing on it.

Calling on state lawmakers to legalize medical marijuana in North Carolina, several veterans on Wednesday shared stories of their own battles or those of their comrades after they returned from deployment, NBC affiliate WRAL reports.

"I personally looked down the barrel of my own service weapon," said Josh Biddix, a Marine and retired police officer.

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Click the video player above to watch headlines from WXII 12 News.

"I have more deceased contacts in my phone due to suicide than I have lost men in combat over the last 20 years," said Chase Roth, a Marine and Wilmington businessman.

The veterans and friends of people who died of cancer testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee about the benefits of medical marijuana to relieve the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and the pain associated with cancer treatment.

The committee held what's believed to be the first legislative hearing ever in North Carolina on a bill to allow medical marijuana to be prescribed and used in the state.

Medical marijuana bills have been filed in every legislative session for years, but legislative leaders usually shelve them, according to WRAL.

But Sen. Bill Rabon, a Brunswick County Republican and chairman of the powerful Senate Rules Committee, said Wednesday it's time to consider the issue.

Rabon is a sponsor of Senate Bill 711, called the NC Compassionate Care Act. The bill lays out a regulatory structure for medical cannabis that would let doctors prescribe it for a number of conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, PTSD and other debilitating conditions.

The measure would allow only 10 "seed-to-sale" providers of medical marijuana. Each could operate up to four dispensaries across the state.

Providers would have to go through a rigorous application process with the state Department of Health and Human Services and a new regulatory commission, according to WRAL.

Patients seeking prescriptions would have to meet with physicians, who would have to document the condition under which a marijuana prescription was issued. Physicians also would have to undergo annual training on medical cannabis.

Dr. Julie Manly, a Duke University-trained physician who's now studying medical marijuana, said she believes legalizing it in North Carolina would reduce the amount of opioid addiction and overdoses in the state.

"Medical cannabis users are not criminals. They're your mothers and fathers, grandparents, co-workers and neighbors," Manly said. "They're your fellow North Carolinians who are trying to find comfort and relief for very serious medical conditions."

Robert Elliott, a Harnett County farmer, and Rob Rens, a New Hanover County businessman, told lawmakers about friends dying of cancer who had to break the law because smoking marijuana was the only way to get relief for their pain. Prescribed drugs didn't help the patients and often made their condition worse, both men said.

"[Medical marijuana] provided him with the opportunity to live with what little life he had left," Rens said, noting his friend died in May.

Biddix became choked up and frequently had to pause during their statements as he recounted the pain, anxiety and sleepless nights they endured after returning from the Middle East. He said he found relief only after finding medical marijuana.

"I do not seek to get stoned," Biddix said. "I do seek pain relief and stress relief from anxiety and PTS without a plethora of medications. Cannabis, in my opinion, is a lot better and a lot safer alternative than alcohol."

But social conservatives argued that medical marijuana provides a similar threat of addiction.

"I can only pray that you see through the haze," said the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina. "Smoke marijuana is not medicine."

Some lawmakers also expressed reservations about legalizing marijuana, even if only to treat a specific set of ailments.

"I'm trying to look at it with open eyes," said Sen. Chuck Edwards, a Henderson County Republican.

But other committee members noted most states already allow medical marijuana, and it's long overdue in North Carolina.

"It's time we stop making criminals out of caregivers," said Sen. Natasha Marcus, a Mecklenburg County Democrat.

Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed, another Democrat representing Mecklenburg County, said the state needs to go further and decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The committee didn't vote on the bill, and no date was set for the next hearing on it.