STATE SENATOR WANTS A MARIJUANA SUMMIT

A state senator urged state and federal officials Monday to take part in a
summit on how to implement California's medical marijuana initiative.

Sen, John Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clar, 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 1996 ballot measure changed state law to allow patients suffering from
cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and a variety of other illnesses to possess and grow
marijuana for medical use, with a doctor's recommendation.

But Friday, the Justice Department filed civil suits against six marijuana
buyers clubs, saying they violated federal laws against possession,
cultivation and distribution of marijuana.