NEW GROUP PROMOTES USE OF POT FOR MEDICAL USE

TEMECULA ---- A Temecula couple who uses marijuana regularly to alleviate
pain from various illnesses recently formed a nonprofit group focused on
informing people about marijuana and its medical uses.

Martin and LaVonne Victor held the Cannabis Acceptance Project's first
meeting last month at the Temecula Public library. The Victors say their
main mission is to engage residents, police and elected officials in
positive discussions on marijuana and new regulations that govern its use
for medical purposes.

The pair has used marijuana for years to lessen pain from their multiple,
chronic illnesses. LaVonne, 48, suffers from multiple sclerosis, acute
depression and panic attacks, while Martin, 51, has been diagnosed with
optical edema, or a swelling of his optic nerve. They say the issue of
marijuana use for the chronically sick should be left between doctors and
their patients and not law enforcement.

"It's time to stop crucifying the sick and start helping them," LaVonne said.

However, they also support lifting prohibitions on adult marijuana use.
They believe regulating the sale of pot would reduce marijuana-related
crime and violence while providing the state with a new source of income.

The Victors' group is an offshoot of an organization based in the Coachella
Valley called the Marijuana Anti-Prohibition Project, Martin Victor said.

He often refers to the work of judge and author James Gray, who spoke at
the group's first meeting. Gray advocates decriminalizing the use of pot
for adults in California and regulating its use in much the same way
alcohol and tobacco are regulated.

Around 30 people of all ages came to the meeting last month to hear Gray
speak, ask questions and pick up literature the Victors and their friends
distributed. LaVonne said Thursday that she's received dozens of calls from
people interested in the group and its mission. Most people want
information on how to obtain pot for medical reasons, she said, and she
points them to their doctors.

Temecula police Chief Jim Domenoe said communication with such groups about
the use of marijuana for medical purposes is essential. New laws such as SB
420, which further clarified Proposition 215 ---- a 1996 initiative
legalizing the use of medicinal marijuana ---- are still being interpreted
and law enforcement officers are often caught in the middle.

"Since we're breaking new ground, I think it will take a combined effort to
come to some common ground," he said. "We certainly want to take part in
this (discussion). We all have to deal with the Senate bill and what the
law has left us."

The Victors once faced prison terms for cultivating marijuana; however, the
charges were dropped late last year as part of a plea agreement with the
Riverside County district attorney's office. They could have faced up to
three years in prison if they had been convicted on the original counts of
cultivating marijuana and possessing it for sales.

According to the agreement, Martin pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of
furnishing one ounce of marijuana and was fined $100. Charges against
LaVonne were dropped.

The Victors receive written authorization from their doctor to use
marijuana under Proposition 215.

LaVonne Victor said many people are unfairly prosecuted even though they
have obtained pot legally, which is why she wants to educate people on what
the law allows.

The Cannabis Acceptance Project meets at 2:30 p.m. the second Saturday of
every month at the Temecula Public Library, 41000 County Center Drive.