Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell is a cancer survivor. And so she knows the pain and heartbreak associated with the disease. Still, she vetoed a bill that would have allowed people with serious illnesses to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. It's just too problematic and sends mixed messages to children, Rell said in a statement last Tuesday. The decision was a struggle for the Republican Rell, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and underwent a mastectomy just after taking office. Had she not vetoed the bill, those older than 18 with medical conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and AIDS would have been permitted to grow and use medical marijuana plants with written permission from a doctor and after registering with the state.
Twelve states allow patients to use medical marijuana despite federal laws forbidding it. Connecticut, for now, will not be joininig these states.
When the First Lady of Surfing, Rell Sunn was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32, she was told she had months to live. She lived each day as if it were her last -- with complete passion and compassion -- and lived another 15 years. 
