CITY OVER-RIDES LIMIT SET BY MARIJUANA LAW [SIC]

The city council in Oakland, California has voted to allow medical marijuana
users to stock 24 times the limit set by United States Attorney-General
[sic] Dan Lungren, a fierce foe of medical marijuana.

Mr Lungren had restricted ailing pot-users to two plants for 30 days, which
yields about 28 grams (an ounce) of cannabis or enough for about one
marijuana cigarette a day.

Under the Oakland measure, pot users will be allow to grow up to 144 plants
indoors, and they can also keep up to 645 grams of pot that has been picked
and readied for smoking.

Wheelchair-bound Ken Estes said he was "very happy because an ounce wasn't
enough".

Mr Estes, 40, has been smoking marijuana daily since he was paralysed in a
motorcycle accident 22 years ago.

The move is the latest to define what is legal under Proposition 215, the
medical marijuana initiative approved by voters in 1996 that allowed
patients to use marijuana for side effects of cancer therapy, Aids and other
illnesses with a doctor's recommendation.

The policy was passed unanimously this week.

"This is a landmark issue," said Jeff Jones, executive director of the
Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative.

Police will be asked to honour the policy, but users will be ordered to
forfeit their supply if they cannot provide a doctor's note within two days,
Mr Jones said.

Mr Lungren's office said the policy violated the law.

There has been confusion over the law since its passage.

The initiative allows possession and cultivation of marijuana on a doctor's
recommendation.

Patients can grow the drug themselves or obtain it from a primary caregiver,
defined as one who has "consistently assumed responsibility for the housing,
health or safety" of the patient.

But state courts have ruled that it is still illegal to sell marijuana or
possess it for sale.

The federal government has also become involved, claiming pot possession and
marijuana clubs are illegal under federal law. - AP

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett