cannabisnews.com: Supervisors Talk Booze, Drugs 





Supervisors Talk Booze, Drugs 
Posted by FoM on June 29, 2000 at 08:12:52 PT
By John Holland, Bee Staf Writer
Source: Modesto Bee
San Joaquin County supervisors may take two actions with regard to controlled substances -- a ban on alcoholic beverages at county-owned community centers and an effort to help people get medicinal marijuana.  Stockton resident Michael Lang asked the Board of Supervisors Tuesday to form a task force that would study how sick people could get marijuana under a state ballot measure passed in 1996. 
 The board also discussed Supervisor Steve Gutierrez's proposal to ban drinking at county community centers, which often are rented for wedding receptions and other gatherings.  "I think you send a mixed message when you allow drinking in community centers, even when it's champagne, even when it's wine," he said.  The board could not act on the proposals Tuesday because they were not on the agenda. They could come back at a future meeting.  Advocates of medicinal marijuana say it has many benefits, including relief of nausea resulting from cancer treatment and building up the appetites of people with cancer, AIDS and other diseases.  Proposition 215 exempted medicinal uses from the general ban on marijuana, but is unclear on how police and courts should determine whether someone has a legitimate need for it.  Lang said a county task force could study various options, such as the identification card issued in Calaveras County to people who get prescriptions for marijuana.  "People are dying," said Lang, noting that his cancer-stricken mother was reduced to 80 pounds because of poor appetite. "I know the county supplies methadone clinics for our junkies, but we don't have any way to provide marijuana to our people who need it."  The result is "a bad black market" for medicinal marijuana, he said.  "I do have mixed feelings about this," Gutierrez said. "I think one has to be very clear about the message."  Deputy Joe Herrera, spokesman for the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department, said officers are instructed to ask for a prescription if someone found with marijuana invokes Proposition 215. "Truthfully, we haven't had that much incidence where individuals have claimed they have marijuana with medicinal authority," he said.  On the alcohol issue, Gutierrez and Supervisor Dario Marenco said it's inconsistent to allow adult drinking at county-owned centers often used for youth activities.  "My stance is simple," Marenco said. "If you want alcohol, rent a hall. Don't rent a community center." Stockton, Calif.Published: Thursday, June 29, 2000 Copyright © The Modesto Bee. Related Articles & Web Site:CCUA Chronology of Implementation http://www.drugsense.org/CCUA/chrono.html S.J. Pot Laws Ignore Ailing, Advocate Says http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6215.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives:http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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