cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana: State Run Pot Farm Idea Sinks Medical Marijuana: State Run Pot Farm Idea Sinks Posted by FoM on April 11, 2001 at 11:22:36 PT By Ed Vogel, Donrey Capital Bureau Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal Members of an Assembly committee spoke out Tuesday against a plan to have the state operate a marijuana farm for people who need the drug for medical reasons. "I'm hesitant to have a state-run program," said Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas. "The state has no money for the startup costs." She made her comments after state Agriculture Department officials said they would need $750,000 to build an indoor farm to cultivate marijuana for an estimated 400 patients. Patients then would be charged $250 per ounce for the state marijuana. The plan could yield $1.2 million a year for the state. Assemblywoman Gene Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas, questioned how patients who may be nearly indigent could afford the cost. Their comments came during an Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing on Assembly Bill 453. The proposal would implement the voter-approved constitutional amendment that allows people suffering from cancer, AIDS and other illnesses to secure legal marijuana. The bill by Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, also would make the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana a misdemeanor, punishable by a $600 fine. Possession of any amount of marijuana in Nevada now is a felony, although the law allows people to receive probation and clear their records if they attend an anti-drug use program. While some witnesses said people in rural areas still are being charged with felonies for using small amounts of marijuana, the Department of Prisons has no inmates for such offenses. Glen Whorton, a spokesman for the prisons, said 15 inmates are serving time for violating terms of their probation after they were convicted on minor marijuana charges. The prisons system has more than 10,000 inmates. The committee took no immediate action on the marijuana bill. Chairman Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, said members may approve amendments Thursday. Without a state-run farm, Giunchigliani said, patients could obtain marijuana as they do now -- by growing their own or buying it illegally. "They would purchase it as they purchase it currently," she said. She considered the state farm as a possible option because the security and distribution of marijuana could be controlled. But Las Vegas police Lt. Stan Olsen said he opposes a grow-your-own medical marijuana plan. "If they grow their own, how do we know they are not selling it?" Olsen asked. Oregon, which has a medical marijuana law, allows patients to grow seven marijuana plants. AB453 as currently written has no limitation. After the hearing, Buckley said she may consider an amendment that permits Nevada's medical marijuana program to begin only after the U.S. Supreme Court gives its consent to such programs. The court recently heard an appeal by the Oakland Cannabis Cooperative against federal moves to close down its marijuana distribution center. A decision should come this summer. Buckley said from what she has read it appears the high court is leaning toward finding state marijuana programs unconstitutional. "I haven't made a decision on whether we should delay it or not," she said. "On one hand we are charged with implementing the will of the people. But it seems the U.S. Supreme Court is going for the first time in many decisions to rule against states' rights. I don't think they are going to allow state experiments with medical marijuana." During the hearing, a Las Vegas woman identified only as Rose said marijuana has helped her husband, who is paralyzed from the chest down, live a productive life as a banker. Without pot, he suffers from uncontrollable spasms that can throw him from chairs. "Our goal is not to case trouble," she said. "We are struggling to survive." Only a couple people testified against the bill. Gemma Waldron, a Washoe County deputy district attorney, said patients can use Marahol, a legal prescription drug, which has the same chemical characteristics as marijuana. Janine Hansen, state president of Eagle Forum, said marijuana today is 25 times more potent that the type sold in the 1960s. She said marijuana damages the lungs and brain and leaves "users passive and devoid of personal ambition."Note: Lawmakers Look At How Patients Could Get Drug. Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)Author: Ed Vogel, Donrey Capital Bureau Published: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 Copyright: Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2001Contact: letters lvrj.comWebsite: http://www.lvrj.com/Related Articles:Bill Proposes State-Run Marijuana Program http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9330.shtmlMedical Marijuana And Other Bills Introducedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9171.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by FoM on April 11, 2001 at 12:07:35 PT Lots of Money Hi Rev. Jonathan Adler,$700,000 for an indoor facility? We have a steel building that is 80 feet by 132 feet that we have less then $40,000 in. ( We did a lot of the work ourselves) It was my horse riding arena and now stores equipment for a company. Would I love to convert it to a big farm! Mine has heat and air conditioning and I'm just chomping at the bit to be able to do something like that. It better hurry up or I'll be too old! LOL! My Medical Marijuana Page [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Rev. Jonathan Adler on April 11, 2001 at 11:55:58 PT: State Involvement in Marijuana Supply! Oh My Goodness! The State of Nevada is considering a State run Pot Farm! How about letting the experts in the field do their jobs as God intended and produce the medicines needed by their state? Religiously protected cannabis cultivators can do the job now without anyone else's permission. The constitution already allows for the free exercise of religion without government interference1 They say they neeed $750,000.00 to create their facility!?We here in Hawaii are ahead of the country in several ways. Firstly we have had a State recognized, but not yet acknowledged, Cannabis Cultivation Facility open to the Public for almost a year since Oct. 15th, 2000. It is theHawaii Medijuana Production Facility and our grand-opening was attended by Police Vice Squad leader here who enjoyed a 45 minute discussion and viewed an empty greenhouse and many empty pots. He agreed a legal central cultivation facility was needed and appropriate. I have since operated with advertising in our paper; MEDICAL MARIJAUNA _ LEGAL SOURCEsince April of 2000. We are meeting with our University tomorrow to discuss a clinical research project as partners. Blessings to all! Please take a puff and smell the flowers!Aloha, Rev. Jonathan Adler / Executive Director - HMMI Hawaii Medical Marijuana Institute [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: