NEVADA LAWMAKERS HEAR CASE FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The issue of letting seriously ill Nevadans use marijuana to relieve
their symptoms was rehashed Monday by state lawmakers.

"The public is much smarter than we think. They know we're not
condoning drug use," Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas,
told the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. "They recognize some
treatments that work."

Giunchigliani's AB453 authorizes medical use of marijuana and
decriminalizes possession of small amounts of pot.

The bill would create a state registry for all patients whose doctors
recommend they use marijuana for medical reasons. People with cancer,
AIDS, glaucoma, severe pain and nausea would be eligible for a
marijuana user card.

"It's for people with illnesses," Giunchigliani said. "It's not just
for anyone."

Assemblywoman Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, was skeptical of the
plan - particularly reducing the penalty for possession or one ounce
or less of marijuana from a felony to a misdemeanor.

"I'm concerned that we're sending the wrong message," she said.
"We're telling them it's OK to have a little bit because it's not a
big deal."

"It's still a crime," Giunchigliani countered. "A person is still
going to get busted if they have it, and if trafficking, still going
to get busted with a felony."

Nevada imposes some of the harshest penalties in the nation for
possession of small quantities of marijuana.

Under AB453, a person with an ounce or less of marijuana would be
charged with a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of no more than
$600. A second offense would result in a higher fine and assignment
to a treatment or rehabilitation program. Third-time offenders would
be charged with a gross misdemeanor and have to pay an even steeper
fine.

Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, D-North Las Vegas, asked why the state
hasn't taken a closer look at Marinol, a synthetic version of
marijuana to counter some symptoms of AIDS and other serious
illnesses.

"Some things work for somebody, some things don't," Giunchigliani explained.

Other panelists were concerned about marijuana usage leading to
addiction and other drugs.

"I don't believe marijuana is a gateway drug. Harder drugs are,"
Giunchigliani said.

Among the conditions for a patient to get approval for medical
marijuana are state residency, having a qualified medical condition
and having a licensed physician in Nevada.

Giunchigliani originally proposed a state-managed farm to grow and
distribute marijuana for medical purposes. But that idea was rejected
by Assembly Judiciary members reluctant to support the state's
involvement.

As amended, the bill calls for an Oregon-style system that would let
anyone qualifying for medical marijuana grow up to seven plants.

Sixty-five percent of voters in November approved Question 9, a
constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana.

"I think the public knows what it voted for, and it's time to act,"
Giunchigliani said.