MEDICAL POT LAW MAY BE UPHELD SOON

A San Diego County Superior Court judge appears poised to uphold the
state's medical marijuana law, issuing a preliminary ruling Thursday
that rejects a bid by three counties attempting to skirt the
decade-old act.

San Diego, San Bernardino and Merced counties sued to avoid having to
issue identification cards to patients using medical marijuana,
arguing that the state law conflicts with federal prohibitions against
cannabis use.

Judge William R. Nevitt heard oral arguments Thursday by lawyers for
the counties as well as medical marijuana advocates and the state
attorney general's office, which is defending the landmark law.

Nevitt gave no indication when a final ruling would be issued.