News (Media Awareness Project) - US CA: Draft Of State's Report On Medical Marijuana Recommends Registry |
| Title: | US CA: Draft Of State's Report On Medical Marijuana Recommends Registry |
| Published On: | 1999-07-06 |
| Source: | Tribune, The (CA) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-06 02:35:49 |
DRAFT OF REPORT ON MARIJUANA RECOMMENDS REGISTRY
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A committee of law enforcement officials, medical
marijuana advocates and doctors has recommended that California establish a
voluntary registry of medical marijuana patients to protect users from
arrest, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The Medical Marijuana Task force, appointed in March by state Atty. Gen.
Bill Lockyer, also recommends that the state develop regulations to allow
groups of patients and caregivers to grow marijuana, according to Monday's
Times.
The 20-member task force was formed by Lockyer to determine how best to
implement Proposition 215, approved by the voters in 1996. The measure said
people could grow and use the illegal drug for medicinal purposes with a
doctor's permission but does not specify how it might be accomplished
legally.
Then-Gov. Pete Wilson opposed the law, and the U.S. Justice Department last
year won a court order to shut down most of the state's cannabis clubs for
violating federal laws against marijuana distribution.
About 10 cannabis clubs currently defy federal law and distribute pot to
people who suffer from ailments including cancer, AIDS and spastic muscle
conditions.
Task force members said the proposed recommendations would allow such clubs
to function openly, the Times reported.
The statewide registry would protect medical marijuana patients with special
photo identification cards. Similar programs are already in place in
Mendocino County and the Northern Califonia town of Arcata.
The task force's final report has not yet been released and some of the
wording is still being reviewed. The newspaper obtained a copy of the
16-page draft that committee members supported at their last meeting.
State Sen. John Vasconcellos hopes to introduce an Assembly bill based on
the committee's final recommendations.
"We feel very confident that this is a very solid product," said Rand
Martin, a Vasconcellos aide who attended committee meetings.
Martin declined to discuss particulars of the proposals, which he said
Vasconcellos and Lockyer hope to unveil in the next two weeks.
Some lawmakers have declined to comment, saying that they are waiting for
the committee's final draft.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A committee of law enforcement officials, medical
marijuana advocates and doctors has recommended that California establish a
voluntary registry of medical marijuana patients to protect users from
arrest, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The Medical Marijuana Task force, appointed in March by state Atty. Gen.
Bill Lockyer, also recommends that the state develop regulations to allow
groups of patients and caregivers to grow marijuana, according to Monday's
Times.
The 20-member task force was formed by Lockyer to determine how best to
implement Proposition 215, approved by the voters in 1996. The measure said
people could grow and use the illegal drug for medicinal purposes with a
doctor's permission but does not specify how it might be accomplished
legally.
Then-Gov. Pete Wilson opposed the law, and the U.S. Justice Department last
year won a court order to shut down most of the state's cannabis clubs for
violating federal laws against marijuana distribution.
About 10 cannabis clubs currently defy federal law and distribute pot to
people who suffer from ailments including cancer, AIDS and spastic muscle
conditions.
Task force members said the proposed recommendations would allow such clubs
to function openly, the Times reported.
The statewide registry would protect medical marijuana patients with special
photo identification cards. Similar programs are already in place in
Mendocino County and the Northern Califonia town of Arcata.
The task force's final report has not yet been released and some of the
wording is still being reviewed. The newspaper obtained a copy of the
16-page draft that committee members supported at their last meeting.
State Sen. John Vasconcellos hopes to introduce an Assembly bill based on
the committee's final recommendations.
"We feel very confident that this is a very solid product," said Rand
Martin, a Vasconcellos aide who attended committee meetings.
Martin declined to discuss particulars of the proposals, which he said
Vasconcellos and Lockyer hope to unveil in the next two weeks.
Some lawmakers have declined to comment, saying that they are waiting for
the committee's final draft.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
