DRAFTER OF CALIFORNIA MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW BUSTED IN UTAH

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) - A man who helped draft California's medical
marijuana law was arrested by police last week in Cedar City and
charged with felony possession of marijuana. Peron said he and fellow
Bay Area marijuana activist John Entwistle had been heading for
southern Utah's Zion National Park with two friends on Nov. 14 and
decided to sample the marijuana they brought along.

A maid picked up the scent in the hall, and the motel owner called
police.

Officers found nearly a pound of marijuana in the room and vehicle,
police Sgt. Dave Holm said.

Peron, 55, said it was only a few ounces, to be used for medical
purposes as allowed by California's Proposition 215. He and Entwistle
both have doctors' recommendations to take marijuana as part of their
therapy for alcoholism, he said.

Police impounded the cars and all their cash, more than $4,500. The
cars were returned, but Iron County Attorney Scott Burns said the
money would be held as evidence until the end of the case.

Peron was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to
distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. His companions were
charged with possessing marijuana and paraphernalia. All were released
on bail.

Peron, founder of San Francisco's Cannabis Cultivation Club, is to
return next month for arraignment.

He said that when he has his preliminary hearing, he will have
testimony from his California doctor who prescribed marijuana to him.

Peron told The Salt Lake Tribune that he also is looking for a Utah
legislator willing to sponsor a medical marijuana law in Utah.

Deputy Salt Lake District Attorney Kent Morgan said the U.S. Supreme
Court has ruled that despite such laws in several states, there is no
exception to the federal prohibition of marijuana and the
prescriptions are not valid in Utah or anywhere in the country.