cannabisnews.com: Draft of State's Report on MMJ Recommends Registry





Draft of State's Report on MMJ Recommends Registry
Posted by FoM on July 05, 1999 at 17:10:01 PT
Source: SF Gate
LOS ANGELES A committee of law enforcement officials, medical marijuana advocates and doctors has recommended that California establish a voluntary registry of medical marijuana patients to protect users from arrest, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The Medical Marijuana Task force, appointed in March by state Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer, also recommends that the state develop regulations to allow groups of patients and caregivers to grow marijuana, according to Monday's Times. The 20-member task force was formed by Lockyer to determine how best to implement Proposition 215, approved by voters in 1996. The measure said people could grow and use the illegal drug for medicinal purposes with a doctor's permission, but does not specify how it might be accomplished legally. Then-Gov. Pete Wilson opposed the law, and the U.S. Justice Department last year won a court order to shut down most of the state's cannabis clubs for violating federal laws against marijuana distribution. About 10 cannabis clubs currently defy federal law and distribute pot to people who suffer from ailments including cancer, AIDS and spastic muscle conditions. Task force members said the proposed recommendations would allow such clubs to function openly, the Times reported. The statewide registry would protect medical marijuana patients with special photo identification cards. Similar programs are already in place in Mendocino County and the Northern California town of Arcata. The task force's final report has not yet been released and some of the wording is still being reviewed. The newspaper obtained a copy of the 16-page draft that committee members supported at their last meeting. State Sen. John Vasconcellos hopes to introduce an Assembly bill based on the committee's final recommendations. ``We feel very confident that this is a very solid product,'' said Rand Martin, a Vasconcellos aide who attended committee meetings. Martin declined to discuss particulars of the proposals, which he said Vasconcellos and Lockyer hope to unveil in the next two weeks. Some lawmakers have declined to comment, saying that they are waiting for the committee's final draft. Go. Gray Davis has not taken a position on the issue because no bill has been offered, spokesman Michael Bustamante said. (07-05) 15:02 PDT LOS ANGELES (AP) 
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Comment #1 posted by Dr. Ganj on July 06, 1999 at 20:59:46 PT
State Medical Marijuana Registry
If approved statewide ID cards were issued, it certainly would help thousands of people who live in counties that right now try to thwart the intention of Prop 215.It would provide medical marijuana users with immediate valid documentation, and that should prevent unnecessary arrests like what happened to Steve and Michelle Kubby, and countless others who thought they were protected under the guidelines of 215, only to learn because they lived in an area where the local police "didn't like 215", or said;"215 is good in San Francisco, but not here". Of course it will have its drawbacks, like all the registered users will have their addresses known to the police, and I'm sure a lot of people will be uncomfortable with that. But, I think all in all, for the people say in Placer county, or Butte county, this will be a step in the right direction. At least there is progress, and since Marinol has been re-scheduled to category III(7-2-99), it won't be long before marijuana is re-scheduled to category II. That my friends, will be the white flag to this terrible drug war, and will finally allow this multi-beneficial plant to do so much good for so many.Cheers,Dr. Ganj 
http://www.chrisconrad.com
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