MEDICAL MARIJUANA TASK FORCE IN CALAVERAS SETS GUIDELINES

SAN ANDREAS -- A 12-person task force, formed in February to set a policy
for medical marijuana use in Calaveras County, laid out some preliminary
guidelines before a packed crowd Wednesday night.

The team, consisting of law enforcement, physicians, the district attorney
and a medical marijuana patient, tried to answer questions such as how to
obtain the drug and the quantity a patient can possess.

Proposition 215, a state law passed in 1996, allows the seriously ill to
obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes on the recommendation of a
physician.

With the state attorney general's office currently unable to provide
direction, cities and counties have to set their own regulations on medical
marijuana use.

The task force came up with preliminary guidelines on how much marijuana a
seriously ill patient can possess or cultivate per year:

At a primary residence or the place of cultivation of the patient or
primary care giver, or transported directly between those two places -- 60
plants and four pounds.

At a transient hotel, motel, trailer, or rented campsite -- two ounces.

In a vehicle operated on public highway -- .25 ounce.

At a public place or event, or a private place open for public attendance
- -- two grams.

At a school, event or a gathering intended for juveniles or is attended
mostly by juveniles -- none.

Violations of the guidelines would include possessing scales or baggies; an
unusual amount of cash; illegal firearms; prior conviction for drug sale;
and having the drug divided into more than three packages or containers.

Other violations would include contributing to a minor, driving under the
influence, and cultivating or possession with intent to sell.

"We're not charged with establishing rules for physicians," said Assistant
County Counsel David Sirias. "We're not charged with a protocol to
criminalize marijuana use. This is just a guideline only for law enforcement."

Several members of audience asked where patients get the drug if they are
unable to grow it themselves.

"This medicine is unavailable right now unless you grow it," said Bill
Harrison of Vallecito. "Where else do you get it? On the black market? What
happens if you grow more than you need. We need to have some guidelines."