AP: DOCTORS TEAM WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO LAUNCH MEDICAL MARIJUANA REVIEW PANEL
PROGRAM

SANTA ROSA -- Sonoma County physicians and law enforcement officials have
teamed together to unveil a new approach to resolve sticky legal issues
regarding medical marijuana.

A patient case review panel has been formed to keep all parties involved in
the medical marijuana process in compliance with the law.

Patients who want to use marijuana as medicine can now submit their medical
cases for a physicians panel review. If the panel finds the use is
legitimate, the panel's findings can be (made known? Ed.,pd) to the
District Attorney's Office and the police.

The proactive approach, believed to be the first of its kind in the state,
is designed to reduce the anxiety of doctors who fear legal or criminal
repercussions for prescribing marijuana as medicine.

Sonoma County's public health director Dr. George Flores said the medical
association's pledge to inform county physicians of the process is an
essential component to making the new approach work.

"There are many in our ranks who are not aware of the law that allows use"
of medical marijuana, Flores told the Press Democrat.

Proposition 215 allows marijuana use by seriously ill patients who have a
doctor's approval, the plant remains a federally outlawed drug.

A patient wishing to have his case reviewed by the medical association's
Professional Standards and Conduct Committee must ask his doctor to submit
medical records to the panel.

The doctor must practice in Sonoma County.

The committee then considers whether there is a relationship between the
doctor and the patient, whether the doctor has recommended the use of
marijuana, and whether marijuana use would alleviate the serious condition.

The panel's decision cannot be appealed.

If the patient so desires, the panel will convey its positive finding to an
intermediary who would inform the police department or the Sheriff's
Department.

Sheriff's officers would then visit the patient to ensure the use of
marijuana complies with the law and the marijuana is not for sale or
distribution.

Checked-by: Pat Dolan