cannabisnews.com: Vote Establishes Task Force To Study Issue





Vote Establishes Task Force To Study Issue
Posted by FoM on December 15, 1999 at 21:29:26 PT
By Scott Mobley
Source: The Calaveras Enterprise 
 Calaveras County may be joining a handful of others in California protecting medical marijuana patients from a jarring jaunt to the jug.In a charged vote that split the Board of Supervisors 3-2, officials directed the county's Director of Health Services to propose a task force that could draw up guidelines under Proposition 215.
California voters approved that law in 1996, which allows people suffering cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and other illnesses to use the federally forbidden drug without fear of arrest and prosecution. But advocates say state law enforcement authorities have undermined the law by arresting patients first and asking questions later."I think it's a crime to deny patients those medicines that help them in their suffering," said Tom Tryon, the supervisor for the Angels Camp-Murphys area who encouraged constituent David Jack to bring the medical marijuana issue before the board.Jack, who for nine years has suffered persistent vertigo, nausea, seizures and headaches because of a rare tumor on his brain stem, told supervisors he had tried 30 different medications, but that marijuana finally stopped his world from spinning and allowed him to function.The 23-year Angels Camp resident said he medicates by inhaling cannabis vapor and opposes the idea of patients gathering in public to smoke. He pointed out that the drug has dangerous side effects and may not work for everyone.Jack also told supervisors that city Chief of Police William Nuttall would have him arrested for buying, possessing more than an ounce of marijuana or growing a single cannabis plant.Nuttall has said that Angels Camp police have never confronted or arrested Jack because of his marijuana use.Jack said he's gotten nearly supportive 30 phone calls from local medical marijuana patients since news of his proposal surfaced last week.Yet each said they would attend the board meeting in spirit only, Jack said, because they were afraid of law enforcement.Jack asked supervisors to establish a photo ID system for medical marijuana patients, set the amount of weed they can cultivate and provide a legitimate supply source so users who can't grow their own medicine don't have to buy it from dope dealers."These are people who are disabled, seriously ill and dying," Jack told the board. "They should not have to go to court to prove medical necessity or out onto the streets for their medication."Calaveras County Sheriff Dennis Downum said he did not think the county had the authority to implement Jack's proposals, but added that he favored meeting with Angels Camp authorities and the district attorney to establish guidelines protecting medical marijuana users from arrest.Peter Smith, the county's lead prosecutor, also favored working toward medical marijuana guidelines, though he was less comfortable having the county decide how much medication patients might keep on hand.Smith noted that since Proposition 215's passage, his office has refrained from prosecuting five marijuana cases where defendants proved a medical need.However, the district attorney noted that clearer guidelines would help with such cases.Terri Bailey, supervisor for the Valley Springs-Copperopolis area, voted against the proposal because she thought the state, not the 58 counties, should set medical marijuana guidelines.But Tryon and Jack pointed out that state officials have yet to set such guidelines despite an Attorney General's task force which includes Murphys doctor Ryan Thompson, who could not be reached for comment.Board chair Paul Stein, who represents the West Point and Mountain Ranch area, also voted against the proposal because he felt it would short-circuit the regulations that back safety standards for other powerful prescription drugs.Supervisors Lucy Thein and Merita Callaway backed the idea of setting local medical marijuana guidelines to help the sick and dying until the state draws up its own."I really believe everyone there was showing compassion," Jack said after the meeting. "I felt that the majority of people there, including law enforcement, would like to work something out." Published: December 14, 1999Calaveras First Newspapers Mailing Address:15 N. Main StreetP.O. Box 1197San Andreas, CA 95249Copyright: 1999 The Calaveras EnterpriseRelated Articles & Web Site:American Medical Marijuana Association http://www.kubby.com/AMMA.html Better Climate For 215 - 12/14/99 http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3995.shtml2 Pot Co-Op Figures Let Off The Hook - 12/11/99 http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3965.shtml
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