cannabisnews.com: Ex-Candidate Offers To Fund Medical Marijuana Ex-Candidate Offers To Fund Medical Marijuana Posted by FoM on May 10, 2001 at 07:07:17 PT By Ed Vogel, Donrey Capital Bureau Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani said Wednesday she is willing to take $30,000 from former gubernatorial candidate Aaron Russo to start the medical marijuana program. "I would be happy to entertain that," said Giunchigliani, the author of Assembly Bill 453, which puts into effect the voter-approved constitutional amendment allowing marijuana for people who need it for medical reasons. But Giunchigliani , D-Las Vegas, added she may not need Russo's money. She said she was contacted by the administrator of a family trust in Las Vegas that also is willing to put up the $30,000 needed to start the medical marijuana program. Assembly Ways and Means Chairman Morse Arberry, D-North Las Vegas, said Monday that the state does not have the money to start the marijuana program because of budget shortfalls. All legislation that increases state spending could fail this year because the Legislature must cut $121.5 million from Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposed $3.8 billion budget. Guinn did not include the medical marijuana program in his budget, though 65 percent of the voters in November's election authorized marijuana for people with AIDS, cancer and other illnesses. Jack Finn, Guinn's press secretary, said Guinn omitted initial costs in part because he fears the federal government would shut down any program the state tried to start. The use of marijuana, even for medical purposes, remains a federal crime. In response to Guinn's omission, Russo said Tuesday that the governor is violating his sworn duty to serve Nevada voters, who overwhelmingly approved the marijuana program. "He simply does not care about the needless pain endured by those whose suffering would be relieved by medical marijuana," Russo said. Russo pledges to raise the $30,000 necessary to start the program if the governor agrees to put the program in effect when he receives the money. Russo was defeated by Guinn in the 1998 Republican primary. Giunchigliani said her bill could be amended to allow the acceptance of contributions for the $30,000 startup costs by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety. Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)Author: Ed Vogel, Donrey Capital Bureau Published: Thursday, May 10, 2001Copyright: 2001 Las Vegas Review-JournalContact: letters lvrj.comWebsite: http://www.lvrj.com/Related Articles:Marijuana Advocate Blasts Nevada Research Plan http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8280.shtmlMedical Marijuana Advocate: Voters Wishes Thwartedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8272.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on May 10, 2001 at 08:10:26 PT: Putting Money Where the Mouth Is I am very pleased to see an honest politician with strong convictions to see a program through as is being done in this example. Bravo Ms. Giunchigliani! I don't know if this Aaron Russo is an MOT (Member of the Tribe), but I'd like to claim him as a friend, if not relative. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: