FEDS SCUTTLE NEVIN CANNABIS PLAN

Group now looking at Alternatives

An ill-timed condemnation of canhabis buyers' clubs by a federal attorney
has sent architects of a county-run dispensary scuttling back to the drawing
board.

Ironically, the likeliest option may-be to get on the docket for pot grown
by the federal government in the deep South for a little-known program that
supports a handful of pilot studies.

A task force spearheaded by county Supervisor Mike Nevin was to begin
studying how the county could make so-called "medical marijuana" available
for free to qualified patients using cannabis seized in police raids.

But Jan. 9-the day of the first planning meeting - U.S. Attorney Michael
Yamaguchi announced the federal government would be coming down on purveyors
of medical marijuana.

"It's a disappointing coincidence," said Nevin, who proposed the plan. "It's
the first time the federal government has taken action on the issue of the
legality of Proposition 215. ~

Nevin had even successfully wooed State Attorney General Dan Lungren- vocal
critic of Proposition 215-to the cause.

Lungren agreed to put a staff attorney, John Gordinaire, on the task force
that also included Sheriff Don Horsley, District Attorney Jim Fox, County
Manager John Maltbie, and county-employed pharmacists and doctors.

The group may be down, but it's not out, Nevin said.

The federal government has allowed the cultivation of mariuana in
Mississippi for seven selected pilot programs.

The task force's new aim is to qualify for the southern-grown ot in a pilot
project of its own. ounty Health Officer Scott orrow, Maltbie and Nevin are
now drawing up a proposal with he help of a University of alifornia at San
Prancisco hysician who directs one of the government's pilot studies.

Also on the task force's agenda: unty certification of users and heir
caregivers.

Proposition 21S, passed a year ago by California voters, allowed doctors to
prescribe cannabis to alleviate the pain, nausea and loss of appetite caused
by AIDS, glaucoma and cancer.

However, it made no provision for its dispensation or regulation, leaving
counties to grapple with the practical aspects of implementing the law. The
result has been a crazy quilt of local solutions.

While it declared marijuana legal for medical use, it remains illegal for
recreational use-and the measure failed to specify how it may be distributed
for the legalized purpose.

According to Proposition 215, a "primary care-giver" may provide marijuana.
However, the term is not defined.

Health officials put the number of qualified users in San Mateo County at
1,500 to 2,000.