cannabisnews.com: Bill Proposes State-Run Marijuana Program


cannabisnews.com: Bill Proposes State-Run Marijuana Program





Bill Proposes State-Run Marijuana Program
Posted by FoM on April 11, 2001 at 07:42:26 PT
By Jennifer Crowe, Reno Gazette-Journal
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal
State would grow pot, license users Nevada lawmakers considered a bill Tuesday that would allow sick people to use marijuana and would lower penalties possession of small amounts of the drug.Assembly Bill 453 would enact into law the wishes of voters who twice have approved the medicinal use of marijuana. Also folded into the measure is a plan to make possession of an ounce or less a misdemeanor with a fine. Currently, possession of any amount of marijuana -- from a seed to a pound -- is a felony.
The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard AB 453 on Tuesday, and after more than an hour of testimony set the bill for a Thursday morning work session, although some form of the measure is expected to pass. Sponsoring Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said more voters supported the ballot question on the medical use of marijuana than voted for Gov. Kenny Guinn in the 1998 election.“The public has supported this measure twice,” said Giunchigliani, who has tried several times without success to get the Legislature to defelonize small amounts of marijuana possession.The bill is opposed by Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa who says the state shouldn’t act until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of state-run medical marijuana programs like the one proposed by AB 453.Committee members discussed whether to give the responsibility of growing and distributing pot to the state. As proposed, the Department of Agriculture would build an indoor growing facility that would cost about $750,000.The state would charge about $250 an ounce, and the program would be self-funded, requiring no taxpayer dollars. Officials estimate about 400 people might take advantage of the program in its first year.AB 453 would create a state registry of approved medical marijuana users who have AIDS, cancer, glaucoma or other ailments that result in severe seizures, nausea or pain and classified as a debilitating medical condition. Insurance companies would not be required to cover the cost of the drug.The drug could be prescribed only by a physician in good standing with the state licensing board. Patients would have to apply for a registry card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The application fee could not exceed $150.One advantage cited for the plan would be the ability of the state to genetically mark state-grown marijuana. That would make it easier for law enforcement to know whether someone possessing pot bought it off the street or through the state. Giunchigliani agreed a state-run facility probably isn’t the best plan, but said AB 453 was modeled on a program in Oregon. She supports the advice of legislative lawyers that the state should allow sick people to grow their own marijuana.“If we agree that marijuana has medicinal properties, why can’t we treat it like any prescription drug,” said Assemblyman Greg Brower, R-Reno. “Why does the state have to be involved.”Dan Geary of Nevadans for Medical Rights said a state- run program would ensure marijuana was produced only for sick people. He added the marijuana also would be consistent and he opposes patients growing their own. California and other states have growing cooperatives that serve entire regions.“We can ensure the consistency and potency of the plants,” Geary said. “It relieves law enforcement of the burden of monitoring patients who are growing their own.”Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, said the Legislature must follow the wishes of voters, but she doesn’t want the state to get into the pot-growing business. “The state has no money this session for start-up costs,” she said.Others who spoke against the bill included Janine Hansen, president of the Nevada Eagle Forum.“The myth that marijuana is no more a drug than alcohol has been actively promoted by the drug cartels,” she said. “Without marijuana the markets for cocaine and heroin would disappear.”Washoe County Sheriff’s Capt. Jim Nadeau said the department has no position on the medical marijuana or whether possession should be a felony.“Certainly we don’t endorse people using or abusing drugs but as far as the criminal aspects, it’s the Legislature’s purview,” he said.The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office opposed the measure. Lobbyist Gemma Waldron said marijuana is a gateway drug, leading to use and abuse of drugs like cocaine and heroin.“Our position is that Marinol is medical marijuana and this bill is not necesary,” she said, referring to a pharmaceutical drug with similar properties to marijuana.Giunchigliani said some patients don’t respond to Marinol and doctors should have discretion. “This is not going to be something that’s generally prescribed,” she said. Giunchigliani said Nevadans already are using marijuana to treat the effects of terminal illness.A Las Vegas woman identified only as Rose said marijuana has been a key part of her husband’s medical regimen for several years. Her husband was paralyzed in an accident 10 years ago and has suffered from severe seizures ever since. Some of the fits have been so strong his body is flung from his wheelchair.“The use of marijuana has enabled him to function,” Rose said. “Our goal is not to break the law. Mostly we’re just trying to survive.” Source: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV)Author: Jennifer Crowe, Reno Gazette-JournalPublished: April 11th, 2001Copyright: 2001 Reno Gazette-JournalWebsite: http://www.rgj.com/Contact: rgjmail nevadanet.com Related Articles:Medical Marijuana And Other Bills Introducedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9171.shtmlVoter Mandate, Legislator Left To Rehash Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9015.shtmlLegal To Grow Own in Nevada http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8788.shtml 
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Comment #2 posted by Rev. Jonathan Adler on April 11, 2001 at 12:10:10 PT:
Ethan Russo knows Better!
Ethan, You know bettter! We have discussed this with you before and we are still going forward. I would appreciate your positive thoughts and statements regarding a legal approved research facility in Hawaii! The Feds have NO CHOICE but to obey the constitution they swore to as they took their positions to make this a safer country for all of us. God forbid John Ashcroft or Thomas Constantine would get cancer and be suffering unbearable chemotherapy. But they must put themselves in others shoes before they obstruct religious freedom and medical principles of healing the sick. Dr. Guy and Brent Zettl and Dr. Israelski and you are permitted to use cannabis legally. I've got it, you want it! Let's ROCK! Peace Out! Rev. Jonathan Adler / Hawaii Medical Marijuana Institute
Hawaii Medical Marijuana Institute
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Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on April 11, 2001 at 11:25:10 PT:
Where to Begin?
There are so many inaccurate, bigoted, and bizarre statements in this story that I am loathe to even get started. You've all heard it from me before, so please replay those arguments in your minds (that is if your current phytocannabinoid levels have not produced short term memory deficits----kidding!  ;) One point: There is no way on earth that the Feds will allow Nevada to cultivate cannabis and distribute it to patients. That would be declaring defeat in the Drug War, and allowing the concept that the central government has no ultimate jurisdiction over the issue. The only program resembling this concept that may pass muster is the proposed facility to be operated by UMass Amherst to grow cannabis as part of the Orphan Drug Program for AIDS wasting syndrome. See:http://www.maps.org/mmj/odda/index.htmlThis has a real chance, due to the tireless work of Rick Doblin at MAPS.
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