PLAN FOR POT REGISTRY INTRIGUES LUNGREN

His views on San Mateo County idea break stalwart stance against clubs

Marshall Wilson, Chronicle Staff Writer

REDWOOD CITY

In a break with his hardline stance against cannabis clubs, state Attorney
General Dan Lungren yesterday called a San Mateo County plan to register
medical marijuana users ``intriguing.''

County health and law enforcement officials are looking into issuing
certification cards to people whose doctors suggest they smoke marijuana.
Cards could also be issued to caregivers who grow small amounts for medical
purposes.

Lungren did not say he would support the county's registration idea, but
called it worthy of study.

``It seems to me it would be a far more enlightened approach than setting
up a cannabis buyers club,'' Lungren said. He spoke at a news conference on
local law enforcement issues at the district attorney's office in Redwood
City.

Meanwhile, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Mike Nevin is
scheduled to meet today with Lungren to discuss Nevin's proposal that the
county distribute pot through its pharmacies and hospital.

Asked if he thinks Proposition 215 authorizes people to grow small
quantities of marijuana for medical needs, Lungren said yesterday the law
``would extend no further than that'' and prosecution would be on a
casebybase basis. Some 66 percent of county voters approved Proposition
215 in November 1996, compared with 56 percent statewide. Given that
mandate, Nevin will suggest to Lungren today that the county use marijuana
plants confiscated by narcotics agents to supply medical users.

The issue of medical marijuana in San Mateo County came to the fore last
month, when Salvador Garcia proposed to open a distribution center.
Supervisors instead imposed a 45day ban on cannabis clubs, which expires
Tuesday.

Garcia plans to protest the ban on cannabis clubs at Tuesday's supervisors
meeting. County Counsel Tom Casey has issued an opinion concluding the
clubs are illegal.

The county's study of issuing certification cards is one effort of many
throughout the state to comply with Proposition 215, which legalized the
doctorapproved use of marijuana but left unstated how government should
regulate use and supply.

Many details have to be worked out before cards are issued under the
county's plan. And no one knows if people who grow marijuana will register
with a government agency.

Undersheriff Greg Munks said people who are honest about wanting to help
people suffering from AIDS, cancer and other diseases and are not out to
make a profit would likely register.

``It would give law enforcement the option to say, `Obviously, this is
someone who is a patient. Let's not hassle them,' '' he said.