A REMEDY FOR PROP. 215 HEADACHES

THE STATE Supreme Court brought some much-needed clarity to the debate
about Proposition 215, the 1996 initiative in which voters expressed their
strong support for medical marijuana.

Regrettably, the ensuing years have been marked by over-the-top actions by
the two extremes -- the party-time potheads who want to use 215 as cover
for the decriminalization of marijuana and a few law- enforcement
authorities who refuse to accept the voters' will.

The state's highest court took the humane and commonsense approach in
providing a legal shield to people who use medical marijuana under a
doctor's supervision. "The possession and cultivation of marijuana is no
more criminal - - so long as (the law's) conditions are satisfied -- than
the possession and acquisition of any prescription drug with a physician's
prescription," Chief Justice Ronald George said.

His ruling was consistent with the spirit of Prop. 215, as presented to voters.

State lawmakers should move forward with legislation for statewide
standards on medical marijuana. And the U.S. Congress should enact a bill
by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., that would guarantee a state's right to
regulate medical marijuana - and end the temptation for the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration to try to supersede state laws.