cannabisnews.com: Supervisors Vote To Oppose Medical Marijuana Use 





Supervisors Vote To Oppose Medical Marijuana Use 
Posted by CN Staff on October 01, 2002 at 16:47:47 PT
SignOnSanDiego News Services
Source: Union Tribune
On a 4-1 vote, the Board of Supervisors went on record today against the city of San Diego's efforts to sanction medical marijuana use. The panel voted to send a letter to the City Council registering opposition to medical marijuana guidelines the city is pursuing. Ron Roberts voted no. On Oct. 16, a council committee will consider guidelines put forth by the city's medical marijuana task force. They include a recommendation that police give a pass to qualified medical marijuana users who grow or possess up to three pounds of the drug, or a year's supply as recommended by a doctor. 
"I think it's important that we send a message to the city of San Diego that we are opposed to this quantity of marijuana being available," said Supervisor Bill Horn. Horn said three pounds amounts to six to 18 cigarettes a day for a year – depending on "how you roll them." "My concern is the control of this, and the fact that we're sending a message to our young people that somehow there is a medical benefit to the use of marijuana," Horn said. But several medical marijuana advocates told board members they were being misled, and said the county should be creating guidelines itself – not opposing the city's efforts. Proposition 215, which California voters passed in 1996, allows patients with permission from a doctor to use marijuana for medical conditions. But the law has been problematic, as federal law makes no exception for medical uses. Medical marijuana advocates say cannabis can help relieve pain and other symptoms for patients with AIDS, cancer and other conditions. Steve McWilliams, a vocal proponent of medical marijuana, said the city task force drafted "the finest guidelines anywhere in the state." "The important thing is that cannabis patients – the people that have a recommendation from a doctor – be allowed to have their medicine," he said. "So now when somebody else has done something positive, something constructive, something well-considered, like little childish bullies on the playground you are going to come and take it all away," he told the board. McWilliams, who recently gave away marijuana outside City Hall and days later had plants confiscated by federal agents, had been a member of the city medical marijuana task force, but quit. Supervisors heard from a number of representatives of anti-drug groups. They said sanctioning medical use would send a mixed message to children, and that the proposal before the city is flawed. Louarn Sorkin, a board member of Parents and Adolescents Recovering Together Successfully, said "medical excuse marijuana" would allow large quantities of the drug to be grown and kept in neighborhoods. "Issues of the sick and dying should be taken very seriously, but advocating for looser drug laws will harm our children and our county," she said. "Research clearly shows that the greater access and availability leads to greater usage, greater acceptance and ultimately greater addiction." The anti-drug contingent worried that the city's action doesn't have sufficient restrictions, and that there is a great potential for abuse and for the drug to be diverted to the streets. They said the city program would not prohibit felons, minors or people with past drug problems from obtaining medical marijuana. "Unfortunately, what it appears as though the city of San Diego will be considering does not have anything to do with compassionate care for the suffering," said Jay Goldby, a Poway City Council member and representative of the San Diego Prevention Coalition. "Rather it appears to be the first wave in the legalization of illegal substances, starting with marijuana," he said, adding that three pounds "goes way beyond compassionate care." Roberts' motion to delay action failed. He wanted to wait until the federal-versus-state issues are settled and until "marijuana as medicine" studies at UC San Diego and elsewhere can be completed. Supervisor Dianne Jacob called the possible city action a "dangerous proposal" since Proposition 215 allows marijuana use for for "loosely defined medical purposes." "The ramifications of what the city of San Diego has before it has regionwide impacts," Jacob said. "I think it's very appropriate that we get involved. We need to do the right thing and we need to act responsibly." Under the city's program, qualified users would have an identification card, although the city doesn't yet have that program in place. While the City Council's Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee will give the task force proposal an airing in a few weeks, the full City Council would have to give final approval to any action. Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)Published: October 1, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.Contact: letters uniontrib.comWebsite: http://www.uniontrib.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Americans for Safe Access http://www.safeaccessnow.org County Officials Consider Condemning Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14320.shtmlPot Advocates Ask For City Leaders' Helphttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14248.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by malleus on October 02, 2002 at 07:06:01 PT
Well, they've just made the voter's job easier
They've done the hard work for the local voters:From the Notebooks of Lazarus Long
http://www.bobgod.com/writer/lazaruslong.html"If you are part of a society that votes, then do so. There may be no candidates and measures you want to vote for... But there are certain to be ones you want to vote against. In case of doubt, vote against. By this rule you will rarely go wrong. If this is too blind for your taste, consult some well-meaning fool (there is always one around) and ask his advice. Then vote the other way. This enables you to be a good citizen (if such is your wish) without spending the enormous amount of time that truly intelligent exercise of the franchise requires."These so-called Supervisors have just made the job of deciding whether they should be allowed to continue in their positions that much easier to make. 
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Comment #5 posted by Robbie on October 01, 2002 at 21:38:54 PT
No offense to you p4me
but my post was sarcasm
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Comment #4 posted by Sam Adams on October 01, 2002 at 20:20:47 PT
Supervisors?
What exactly do the Supervisors do? They wouldn't happen to be useless bureaucrats, sucking down taxpayer dollars, would they? They wouldn't happen to be stool pigeons for certain public unions, would they? They would never do anything like, maybe, stick up for some fellow municipal workers over at the PD?Look at the anti's rhetoric:"Louarn Sorkin, a board member of Parents and Adolescents Recovering Together Successfully, said "medical excuse marijuana" would allow large quantities of the drug to be grown and kept in neighborhoods."This reminds me of a great analogy someone made here about the antis and tribal shamans. It's like everyone is sitting around trying to have a logical discussion, and the tribe's just about made its decision, when all of a sudden, the demented old medicine man jumps out of his tent, dressed in a crazy costume and face-paint, shaking some evil talisman and chanting about the children, and all the people cover their eyes and run in fear. "Nooooo!!! not that!"Just figure the tribespeople for the media and it's a perfect fit. Every single thing that came out of Louarn's mouth was a total lie! I can't think of another public issue where complete nonsense is consistently injected into an otherwise credible news story.This also reminds me, again, of the movie "The Crucible" and "The Proctor" character. He's some quasi-religious guy running around in a wide-brim black hat, black cloak, and funky medallion, and he if shows up at the party, you're in deep do-do! The ultimate buzzkill! His idea of a good time is a couple lovely ladies burning at the stake. Glad to see Louarn carrying on the tradition. 
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Comment #3 posted by Had Enough on October 01, 2002 at 19:33:02 PT
p4me
There are more than 2 people unhappy, WE THE PEOPLE. Thank You for your thoughts.
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Comment #2 posted by p4me on October 01, 2002 at 18:00:30 PT
Sorry Robbie but I have Republican induced rage
Well, that was a good heads up on bringing it to our attention, that an insanity that was thrust upon the world continues after 65 years despite everything we have learned.But, I wouldn't say happy. As a matter of fact, for the benefit of any brainwashed and personally-despised right-wing Republicans, I say some God Damned this Birthday. And if there magic words are used for God Dam those potsmokers, then what is wrong with God Damned Republicans. If Zeus damned Republican would piss the sheep bound to the glory of banned abortions, I would say Zeus damned. If Apollo damned Republicans roused any anger from the pious right-wing Christians I would say, "Apollo damned those Republicans."The term is all but meaningless to me as I don't buy Christian mythology from the time it says Adam and Eve's children had children with the sons of God and made the human race and turn around to the only son later. I say God damned those Republicans just to show opposition. Now WND can put real big letters up saying, "Christians under attack."Well, maybe Greek mythology is laughed at and Roman mythology is laughed at, by society at large. Yeah, a good Christian is a good man and that is a wonderful thing. But personally, the song on my heart is God damn those lousy brainwashed Republicans, even though it is just a meaningless statement meant to show resistance to the great truth that the Christian Way is the only way.It is no Happy Birthday for Prohibition. When will it end. Just saying stop only works on the stone wall and the prohibitionist don't want it to move anyway. Stop, God Dammit. I think it is time for a show of anger, God dammit.If that pissed you off then there are at least two of us that have the same feeling. DAD-D, 1,2
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Comment #1 posted by Robbie on October 01, 2002 at 17:03:21 PT
Happy Anniversary!
Today the American War on Marijuana turns 65!woo hoo :-(
Harry Anslinger on the dangers of pot
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