cannabisnews.com: Senator Wants State To Grow Medicinal Marijuana





Senator Wants State To Grow Medicinal Marijuana
Posted by FoM on April 13, 2001 at 08:41:36 PT
By Jennifer Crowe, Reno Gazette-Journal
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal
A Republican senator called Thursday for state-run farms to grow marijuana for medicinal use, a plan that would conflict with a medical marijuana bill the Assembly approved just hours later.In 1998 and 2000 Nevada voters overwhelmingly approved an initiative that would allow medicinal use of marijuana. In a case that will help Nevada and other states craft their rules, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering the legality of a marijuana-buyers club in Oakland, Calif.
On Thursday, Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, said he supports state-run farms because it would be tough to track sick patients growing their own marijuana. And forcing people to seek it on the street will only boost illegal drug operations.“We need to do everything we can to implement medical marijuana without aiding the drug import crime organizations,” said James, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “We need a state-run, licensed procedure for growing and making marijuana available for those who need to get it.”James’ comments came during a hearing on Senate Bill 242, which would close a loophole created in 1999 when lawmakers inadvertently deleted the law that would make it illegal to grow certain amounts of marijuana. The committee delayed action on SB 242 but is expected to vote on the measure today.Just a few hours later, the Assembly Judiciary Committee approved a bill creating a medical marijuana program in Nevada. Assembly Bill 453 would allow sick people to grow their own marijuana to combat the ravages of such diseases as AIDS, cancer and glaucoma.“I’m concerned about the state running pot farms,” said Assembly minority leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas. “I don’t think the state would be very good at it.”AB 453 sponsor Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D- Las Vegas, said she also opposes the state getting into the marijuana growing business.As approved, AB 453 would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue identification cards for patients granted marijuana prescriptions from their doctors. AB 453 also reduces the penalty for possession of one ounce of marijuana or less, from a felony to a misdemeanor and a fine.The decriminalization for possession of smaller amounts of marijuana prompted Reno Republicans Greg Brower and Sharron Angle to vote against AB 453.“I recognize the majority of Nevada have voted in favor of the (medical marijuana) concept, and I support that,” Brower said. “But there’s not a consensus that defelonization is the way to go.”Since the Assembly and Senate judiciary committees have such different ideas on the best way to create a medical marijuana law, it’s likely the issue will wind up in a conference committee of the two houses toward the end of the session.James said state-run operations would ensure consistency and quality of the marijuana that sick people smoke. He also wants to ensure that SB 242 not punish medicinal users but, at the same time, that it would maintain stiff penalties for people who grow marijuana for sale.Giunchigliani said that although her bill initially called for a state-run program, she thinks the task of growing is better left to individuals. AB 453 doesn’t address how people would get seeds to grow or how many plants constitute personal use. Those issues likely will have to be clarified when AB 453 goes to Assembly Ways and Means for consideration of the program’s cost.Source: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV)Author: Jennifer Crowe, Reno Gazette-JournalPublished: April 13th, 2001Copyright: 2001 Reno Gazette-JournalWebsite: http://www.rgj.com/Contact: rgjmail nevadanet.comRelated Articles:Medical Marijuana: Bill Would Let Patient Grow Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9359.shtmlMedical Marijuana: State Run Pot Farm Idea Sinkshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9335.shtml 
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Comment #2 posted by DOPEY GILLIS on April 18, 2001 at 21:40:05 PT
G-13
Maybe they can get cuttings from the feds farm-why can the feds grow and i cant-because the laws they make dont relate to the crimes they commit-give me back my autos and i will ripoff the guvs farm!spare a joint brother
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Comment #1 posted by Sudaca on April 13, 2001 at 09:38:03 PT
defelonization
WASH YOUR MOUTH BOY!!!! none of that oral sex thing no more.. Clinton's gone.. gone gone!!seriously though.. what a bunch of weenies
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