3 ASK CITY COUNCIL FOR HELP IN FORMING MEDICALPOT CLUB by Tony Bizjak,
Bee Staff Writer Copyright (c) 1997, McClatchy Newspapers, Inc.

Two AIDS patients and a blind woman with glaucoma Thursday
asked the Sacramento City Council to work with them on
providing marijuana to ill persons whose doctors suggest
the herb for medicinal purposes.

Encouraged by the November passage of Proposition 215,
which allows doctors to prescribe medicinal marijuana,
the trio are part of a group proposing creation of a
cannabis buyers club, somewhere in the midtown area.
Council members were not allowed under law to discuss the
matter at their Thursday meeting, since the issue had not
been announced on the written agenda.

However, City Manager Bill Edgar proposed to have the
city attorney research the legality of cannabis buyers
clubs and report back to the council.

Then city staff, if appropriate, would look into what
kinds of permits and city ordinance changes would be needed
should the council choose to pursue the group's request, he
said.

City Attorney Sam Jackson, however, said it is his
opinion that the group's plan is not authorized by
Proposition 215.

"We are not criminals, just patients deserving a better
quality of life without the intense pain," said Jacqueline
Mahone, who has congenital glaucoma and who said she has
had to buy marijuana on the street in the past.