cannabisnews.com: S.J. Pot Laws Ignore Ailing, Advocate Says S.J. Pot Laws Ignore Ailing, Advocate Says Posted by FoM on June 28, 2000 at 10:25:21 PT By Dogen Hannah, Record Staff Writer Source: Stockton Record A Stockton activist for the use of medical marijuana urged San Joaquin County supervisors Tuesday to take the lead in finding a way for county residents to get the drug legally. Michael Lang asked the county to help him establish a task force to study how, possibly with the county's help, people with a prescription for marijuana can get it without traveling to dispensaries in the Bay Area. A state initiative legalized the drug's use for medical reasons, though federal law still bans even that use. "I know the county provides methadone clinics for our junkies," Lang said, referring to a treatment for heroin addiction that involves a prescribed drug. "But we have no way to provide medical marijuana." Lang said county residents taking marijuana, such as for chronic pain or to relieve nausea induced by chemotherapy, go to a legal marijuana dispensary in the Bay Area or buy the drug on the black market here. He said he smokes marijuana daily because of back pain. "I'd rather smoke two joints a day than eat all the pills my doctor gave me," Lang said. The prescription pills are ineffective, he said. Supervisor Steve Gutierrez said Lang's suggestion is worth considering but raises concerns. "Most people have mixed feelings about this," Gutierrez said. "I think one has to be very clear about the message. ... I'm not sure that San Joaquin County is ready for something like this." But Lang said other municipalities have successfully regulated and taxed marijuana's use and distribution. "Whether San Joaquin County is ready or not, it's the law in California," Lang said. "There's ways to control this. ... I'm not asking San Joaquin County to go out on a limb." Lang suggested the task force could consider guidelines for how medical marijuana could be distributed in the county and what public or private organizations or would do so. The task force also could consider whether people with marijuana prescriptions could have an identification card to show authorities, he said. Supervisors did not act on Lang's request Tuesday. To reach reporter Dogen Hannah, phone 546-8273 or e-mail: dhannah recordnet.com Published Wednesday, June 28, 2000 Copyright © 2000 The RecordCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives:http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtmlCannabisNews Articles On California:http://alltheweb.com/cgi-bin/search?type=all&query=cannabisnews+ca Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by FoM on June 28, 2000 at 12:54:54 PT Important E-Mail News Dear Friends, On Wednesday June 28 at 7 PM Pacific time (8 PM Mountain, 9 PM Central, 10 PM Pacific), Ethan Russo, MD will appear on "Pot-TV" hosted by Miriam White of NORML. Discussion will include use of marijuana in migraine treatment, governmental intransigence in allowing clinical trials with cannabis, and the upcoming Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics. You may tune in at the following URL:http://www.pot-tv.net/You will need to have previously downloaded Real Player to listen in and view the graphics.Second, the essay by Jon Gettman that we sent out yesterday hinted at a research project underway which promised to greatly enhance our understanding of the harm caused by marijuana laws in America. Sure enough, the full report was released today, and once we have had a chance to analyze the findings, we'll be issuing a report of our own to all interested parties, including the Montana media.A highlight pertinent to Montanans:While ranked 43rd in the nation in terms of frequency of marijuana arrests, don't tell that to Montanans living in Toole County, where in 1997 (most recent stats available), the marijauna arrest frequency was nearly eight times the national average. Compare that to Montanans living in Big Horn County, where the marijauna arrest rate was only one quarter of the national average.The full report is available at: http://www.norml.org/facts/arrestreport/We'd be interested in hearing all your opinions and analysis of the report, especially in the next 24 hours, so we have a chance to integrate them in our press release. You've received this mail because you signed up for the Montana NORML mailing list at: http://www.montananorml(406) 542-8696Montana NORML 2401 Brooks #130norml montana.com Missoula, MT 59801http://www.montananorml.org [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: