cannabisnews.com: Cops Hazy on California Medical Marijuana Law Cops Hazy on California Medical Marijuana Law Posted by FoM on July 20, 2000 at 21:46:56 PT By The Associated Press Source: FoxNews It's been four years since California voters passed a landmark medical marijuana proposition, but time has not clarified the loosely worded law which allows some people to smoke pot without getting busted. "We as police officers are sometimes stuck in the middle," said Kevin O'Roarke, an undercover Oakland police officer. "One, we certainly want to help people, that's what we're here for. Two, we want to take people to jail that are abusing the laws that are out there, and believe me, they are abusing this medicinal marijuana law," he said. Police say the small number who use pot legally are becoming an increasingly visible minority. Earlier this week, basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabaar was arrested for driving while high, and claimed he smokes marijuana to relieve his migraines. Police say such excuses are giving them headaches. "No one should be able to just say I need this for my headache, or I have cataracts or what have you," said O'Roarke. Now a new ruling allowing medical marijuana under stricter federal guidelines may further increase its use and police are bracing for possible abuses. For example, a person can acquire medicinal marijuana legally, then sell half of it illegally, or travel with their supply beyond state or U.S borders. Above all, drug dealers and users would seem to have a ready — and legal excuse — all they need is a doctor's note. Cops may be forced to make judgment calls of a medical nature and spend time verifying each doctor's note or "cannabis club" ID card. "You have some sophisticated individuals out here that can use computers to get around paperwork to make documents look legal, and so we're just gonna have to stay, you know, one or two steps ahead of them," said George Phillips, a spokesperson for the Oakland Police department. Police say they aren't giving up in the war on this drug, but they would like better tools and clearer rules to weed out those who have no legal right to get high. — Fox News' Claudia Cowan contributed to this report. San Francisco, Calif. Thursday, July 20, 2000 © Associated Press. © News Digital Media 2000. Related Articles:Deputies Seize Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6460.shtml Basketball Star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Arrestedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6446.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives:http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by drfist on July 22, 2000 at 11:30:52 PT cops just Hazy Period! when in the past have Hazy people "cops" have had control of making health care policy for sick people. Maybe the Nazis? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by bbk on July 21, 2000 at 17:57:11 PT Cops lazy on California Medical Marijuana Law Cops lazy on California Medical Marijuana Law [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by freedom fighter on July 20, 2000 at 22:38:53 PT &*^*Who has the legal right to get high?(*^%$# "We as police officers are sometimes stuck in the middle," said Kevin O'Roarke, an undercover Oakland police officer. "One, we certainly want to help people, that's what we're here for. Two, we want to take people to jail that are abusing the laws that are out there, and believe me, they are abusing this medicinal marijuana law," he said. Earlier this week, basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabaar was arrested for driving while high, and claimed he smokes marijuana to relieve his migraines. Police say such excuses are giving them headaches. "No one should be able to just say I need this for my headache, or I have cataracts or what have you," said O'RoarkePolice say they aren't giving up in the war on this drug, but they would like better tools and clearer rules to weed out those who have no legal right to get high. &*&&**)&^^7=^%$*& [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: