COUNTY AGAIN URGED TO 'UPHOLD LAW'

Allowing Marijuana As Medicine

Supporters of the state law allowing the use of marijuana for medical
purposes are urging Orange County supervisors to follow their
"constitutional duty" and uphold the 3-year-old voter-approved initiative.

"Now is the time for our elected officials to show good faith and uphold
the law," Steve Kubby of Laguna Beach told supervisors at last week's board
meeting.

Kubby and other residents appeared before the board for the second time in
two weeks. Among those joining him was Anna Boyce of Mission Viejo, a
co-author of the medical marijuana initiative, Proposition 215.

They are seeking help from the county's elected officials to find a safe
facility in Orange County where the seriously ill can use the drug without
fear of arrest.

Supporters said a meeting with members of Sheriff Mike Carona's staff ended
optimistically.

Kubby said hundreds of people in the county suffering from AIDS, cancer and
glaucoma are being victimized by overzealous police officers. Dozens of
people have tried to use the law as a shield against prosecution, but few
have succeeded. Kubby said he believes elected officials are avoiding their
duty to uphold the law, thus denying many terminally ill patients the right
to use the drug. Drug agents have closed cannabis clubs in numerous
cities. Overall, marijuana arrests statewide jumped to a record 57,677 in
1997 after the law took effect.

The board took no action, but Chairman Charles V. Smith asked county staff
to research what the county's responsibility is under Proposition 215.