MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES' ROLE ANALYZED AMIDST TALK OF NEW REGULATIONS

The pungent-smelling green plant known as marijuana is edging its way
toward social acceptance. The Schedule I drug -- grouped with other
drugs such as heroin, LSD and ecstasy -- was legalized by California
for medical use under Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of
1996. Anyone with a doctor's recommendation is eligible for a medical
marijuana license, which allows patients to exchange money for the
drug at dispensaries.

But as the drug becomes more mainstream in Calif. and new laws are
imposed, dispensaries as they operate currently could be phased out,
said Matt (who asked that his last name be withheld), president of the
Medical Marijuana Patients Choice Collective, a dispensary in Santa
Ana.

An Oct. 20 memorandum from David W. Ogden, deputy attorney general,
said state government, "Should not focus federal resources in your
States on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous
compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of
marijuana."

If cannabis is here to stay, patients can expect their cities to start
setting up ordinances to regulate the drug, possibly taking a cue from
the Los Angeles City Council, which said on Nov. 24 that it backs the
sale of marijuana for medical purposes. It will discuss placing an
ordinance to limit the number of dispensaries allowed in the city to
between 70 and 200, according to the LA Times.

Here in Orange County it's starting to look like LA," said Matt. He
also said that dispensaries haven't been bothered too much. His
dispensary is located in Santa Ana, where the sale of medical
marijuana is banned but the city hasn't yet complained about it.

The important part is that (a dispensary) is a safe place to get
(marijuana)," he said. "We all have to follow state regulations." He
also said that dispensaries take the sale of the drug off the streets,
which reduces crime.

The big question now is whether marijuana should be legalized for
recreational (as well as medical) use, or if it should be restricted
purely for medical purposes and made into a prescription medication.
Currently, medical marijuana licenses are granted on the basis of a
doctor's recommendation, which is different from prescription
medications. Those are regulated at the federal level.

Matt said that complete legalization is the way to go so anybody who
wants the drug can get it. "I would love to operate it as a business
and pay taxes," he said.

If marijuana was made into a prescription drug, "I think
(dispensaries) would get phased out," Matt said. It would take awhile
before that happened because the FDA would have to approve the drug
for medical use, he said.

FDA approval of marijuana may be closer than expected, however.

On Nov. 8, the American Medical Association recommended that the
government reconsider cannabis' current Schedule I drug status, "With
the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and
development of cannabinoid-based medicines," according to a report by
the AMA.

Drugs are classified as Schedule I if there is generally an unaccepted
level of safety with no accepted medical use, according to the Drug
Enforcement Administration's Web site. Drugs are classified as
Schedule II substances if they have an accepted medical use. Both PCP
and cocaine are Schedule II drugs, states the Web site.

Andrew Yale, a student at Cal State Fullerton, said he thinks
marijuana is "perfectly fine in society." He said he is OK with how
dispensaries currently operate.

I would like to see it as a medication," he said, because if it were
legalized for recreational use it would be much easier to abuse.

Hayley Evans, a child adolescent studies major at CSUF, said, "I
wouldn't say I approve (of marijuana) but I don't care (if it is
legalized)."

She said she would also rather it be legalized for medical purposes.
"I think it will be abused more," if marijuana is legalized for
recreational purposes, Evans said.

Evans believes the states should remain as decision makers in the
matter of legalization. "I think if the state votes as a whole, it's
OK," she said.

Currently, "No marijuana (is allowed) on campus, period," said Lt. Don
Landers of CSUF police.

Regardless of Calif. law, "The ultimate power that is over the
campuses is the chancellor and board of trustees, and they said no
marijuana," he said.