PROTESTERS PICKET COUNTY OVER MARIJUANA SUIT

Supervisors' Pending Legal Action Claims State, Federal Laws on
Medical Marijuana Don't Match

SAN BERNARDINO -- Holding posters and signs displaying images of
marijuana leaves, more than 50 people Tuesday protested San
Bernardino County's opposition to "medical marijuana clinics."

The protesters were angry over the decision by the Board of
Supervisors to join San Diego County in a lawsuit against the state
challenging the legality of medical marijuana laws.

One of the protesters, Alcina Talbott of Crestline, said she is
constantly in pain and the drug is more effective than traditional
prescription medicines.

"I prefer the effects of marijuana than Vicadin," Talbott said.

Talbott, a registered nurse and disabled county employee, brought her
12-year-old daughter to the protest at the County Government Center.

"My kids know the difference between medicinal and street
(marijuana)," she said. "I don't want the street to look at my kids
as customers."

William Britt, representing the Association of Patient Advocates,
said he has epilepsy and keeps his medical marijuana with him at all times.

"I've had my medicine taken away from me over 20 times," he said.
"I've been to trial with many patients in San Bernardino County.
That's thousands of dollars of taxpayers' money wasted."

Britt said county officials have "no compassion" in their efforts to
challenge the state's medical marijuana laws.

County Counsel Ron Reitz said despite the protests, the county plans
to pursue the lawsuit.

"It will be filed in federal court in San Diego County (on
Wednesday)," Reitz said.

The county is suing the state because it believes California's
medical marijuana laws conflict with federal laws and are therefore invalid.