MEDICAL MARIJUANA GOING UP IN SMOKE

Medical marijuana in California is an utter mess, a mockery of what
most voters intended when they approved Proposition 215 in 1996.

It was supposed to be a nonprofit enterprise, but has spawned a $1.5
billion industry in which networks of storefront dispensaries and
large growing operations are reaping millions of dollars.

The first-in-the-nation law was supposed to allow "compassionate use"
to ease the pain and suffering of people with cancer or AIDS.
Instead, it's so easy to get a recommendation for "medical" marijuana
that, according to a statewide study, many patients are using pot to
relieve headaches and anxiety, and to sleep and relax.

The law has been so corrupted that the federal government is cracking
down. Earlier this month, four U.S. attorneys in California announced
criminal charges against large-scale dispensaries, growers and
financiers, declaring that medical marijuana "has been hijacked by
profiteers." Some are accused of drug trafficking by shipping
"medical" marijuana to other states for sale. Others are accused of
irregular banking practices. And some are charged with marketing to
underage customers with products like marijuana cotton candy.

This chaos calls out for clear and fair state regulation and
oversight. We need to get back to the original, worthy premise of
Proposition 215. Make marijuana available to the truly seriously ill.
Ensure that dispensaries are actually nonprofit. Get tough on doctors
who write prescriptions to make a quick buck.

State Attorney General Kamala Harris should explain how she will
enforce state law. Federal officials are intervening because of the
state's failure to have uniform regulations. The feds have not
targeted the pot trade in Colorado, for instance.

Mixed messages from the U.S. Justice Department haven't helped. In
2009, the feds declared they would not target medical marijuana in
states where it was legal, even though it violated federal law. That
set off the industry's boom - and some of the abuses that prosecutors
are now trying to control. Lurching from little enforcement to an
aggressive crackdown is unfair to dispensaries that do put patients
first and is confusing to everyone. It's up to state officials to
show some leadership and clear up the situation.