COUNCIL OPPOSES FEDERAL RAIDS ON MEDICAL POT CLINICS

Renewing its opposition to federal raids at medical marijuana
facilities, the Los Angeles City Council went on record again
Wednesday in urging the federal Drug Enforcement Administration to
allow the city to regulate the clinics.

"We have put a moratorium in place on all new clinics until we develop
regulations," Councilman Dennis Zine said. "Our goal is to bring the
sale of medical marijuana under control so it is accessible to people
who truly need it.

"This is about the compassionate use of a medicine that helps sick
people."

The council voted 9-1 to support a state resolution on the issue after
a number of people who use medical marijuana testified on behalf of
the resolution, saying it is a key to helping them enjoy a decent
quality of life.

Councilman Greig Smith cast the lone dissenting vote.

In 1996, California adopted Proposition 215 that set up a system to
allow the dispensing of medical marijuana to patients with doctors'
prescriptions.

Officials estimate there are more than 250,000 people in the state who
receive medical marijuana to help ease pain or nausea from
chemotherapy or other diseases.

There are 183 licensed clinics in Los Angeles.

The council's vote supports a resolution pending in the state
Legislature that calls on the federal government to ban DEA raids on
the clinics. In the last two years, officials said the DEA has
conducted 50 raids on various clinics.

DEA Special Agent Sara Pullen said the agency will
continue its activities.

"The use of marijuana is still a violation of federal laws," Pullen
said. "Until Congress changes the law, marijuana use is illegal in any
form."

Council members Janice Hahn and Bill Rosendahl joined Zine in urging
the DEA to change its policy.

"It is easy to raid these clinics," Zine said. "Everyone knows where
they are and they advertise in the papers. It is not a hard case to
investigate."

Rosendahl called it a misuse of federal dollars.

"The DEA should not be hunting down medical providers or chasing sick
people who need relief from their pain."

Hahn said the city should be allowed to have jurisdiction over the
clinics.

"We want to regulate them and we will," Hahn said. "We want the DEA to
respect the compassionate-use laws of California and other states."