LAWMAKER SEEKS SUMMIT ON MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- With sharp criticism of President Clinton, a state
senator urged state and federal officials Monday to take part in a summit
on how to implement California's medicinal marijuana initiative.

Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-San Jose, said he was ``appalled and outraged''
by federal and state responses to voters' approval of Proposition 215.

``It seems to me that fascism is rearing its ugly head,'' he said.

The November 1996 ballot measure changed state law to allow patients
suffering from cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and certain other illnesses to
possess and grow marijuana for medical use, with a doctor's recommendation.

But the Clinton administration has resisted the initiative. On Friday, the
Justice Department filed civil suits against six marijuana buyers' clubs in
Northern California, saying they violated federal laws against marijuana
possession, cultivation and distribution.

Vasconcellos, chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee, said he would
invite Gov. Pete Wilson, state Attorney General Dan Lungren and U.S.
Attorney General Janet Reno to join members of the committee at a summit in
the next month to discuss implementing the proposition.

``I keep hoping that the president I voted for has some common sense, some
compassion,'' Vasconcellos said. ``It might have been better if he had
inhaled.''