cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Bill Faces Uphill Battle Medical Marijuana Bill Faces Uphill Battle Posted by FoM on May 17, 2001 at 12:06:02 PT By Cecilia M. Vega, The Press Democrat Source: Press Democrat Answering law enforcement's pleas for medical marijuana guidelines may be easier said than done for state lawmakers. For the second straight year, legislators say it will be an uphill battle to pass a bill intended to end some of the confusion over the 1996 initiative that allows marijuana use with a doctor's approval.Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-San Jose, says his bill would provide the clarification sought by police and prosecutors, including Sonoma County District Attorney Mike Mullins, since voters approved Proposition 215. His bill would allow qualified users and their caregivers to obtain state identification cards, making them immune from arrest and prosecution for possessing, transporting and growing the drug for medical purposes."The core of SB 187 does address what law enforcement is mostly worried about," said Sue North, Vasconcellos' chief of staff. "I think we still have a ways to go to convince the votes here and to get the governor's signature."A similar measure cleared the state Senate last year but stalled in the Assembly when it became clear Gov. Gray Davis had reservations about the bill.Vasconcellos' latest bill, which is awaiting a Senate committee hearing Monday, would put the state Department of Health Services in charge of administering the identification card program.The department also would be responsible for determining the appropriate amounts of marijuana allowed for personal use."I think all of the district attorneys across the state are saying bravo, it's about time," said Assemblywoman Virginia Strom-Martin, D-Duncan Mills, one of the bill's co-sponsors.The bill has the support of Attorney General Bill Lockyer and the state district attorneys and sheriffs associations.Past efforts were slowed by conflicts "between law enforcement and the physicians over what role doctors would play in a registration database," North said."That, plus the governor telling John that he would in no way sign the bill," she said.A Davis spokeswoman said the governor has yet to take a position on Vasconcellos' latest bill.Still, supporters say they are cautiously optimistic."Given the lack of clarity in Proposition 215, I think it is the Legislature's responsibility to assist law enforcement, to help give them some guidance," said state Sen. Wesley Chesbro, D-Arcata.His hometown was one of the first to issue identification cards for medical marijuana users.There is little activity in Washington, which could hold the key to the issue because federal law prohibits the use of marijuana for any purpose.There is no pending medical marijuana legislation in Congress, said Gina Pesulima, a spokeswoman for the lobby group Americans for Medical Rights.Vasconcellos' staff said a Supreme Court ruling Monday that found no exception to the federal law was a setback, but will have little effect on his bill.It currently makes medical marijuana distributors immune from prosecution. North said that likely will be revisited now."Proposition 215 stands," she said. "Pretty much California continues to do what it's been doing. I think the main kind of chink in the armor is what to do about the distribution system."Note: Law enforcement backs current Assembly measure; registration and distribution issues raise concerns. Source: Press Democrat, The (CA) Author: Cecilia M. Vega, The Press DemocratPublished: May 17, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Press Democrat Contact: letters pressdemo.com Website: http://www.pressdemo.com/ Related Article:The Supremes' Pot Decision - Who Can Enforce It?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9748.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by Cuzn Buzz on May 17, 2001 at 22:38:18 PT Quagmire S.B.187 seems to be just more political nightsoil for the legal quagmire the politicos wish to use to subvert the Will of The People.If they (those who are not us) think it'll work this time they are badly mistaken.Left to the talkocrats marijuana usage would eventualy be limited to something like "Substance may only be legaly possessed by terminal cancer patients within the last 22 seconds of life, and only if the patient is a participant in a study concerning effectiveness of marijuana, and has in his or her possession an approved fire extinguisher, a smoke alarm, two approved ash recepticals, the required polyethelene igloo isolation barrier, one flashing red beacon, one blue strobe beacon, a bell, whistle, horn or other approved signaling device, three flares, and bus or subway tokens equivelant to the fare to his/her home or place of business, on tuesdays between 4:19 and 4:20 in months whose names do not end with an R."We stand for something, and we are not going to fall for that. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hey dddd, you hit the nail on the head, the ones who claim to know whats best for us need to just shut up and sit down.They can try to mind-lock us with endless circumlocution but it won't work any more, we are paying attention, and demanding that The Will of The People be followed.You, and Kaptinemo, and Doc Russo, and the rest of our Brothers in Arms here are fighting the good fight, and shining the bright light of truth.Like you, I will never let up, never quit.We shall overcome. It is because we stand for freedom that we are winning.Praise Jah! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by dddd on May 17, 2001 at 21:34:39 PT law enforcement >""The core of SB 187 does address what law enforcement is mostly worried about," said Sue North, Vasconcellos' chief of staff. "I think we still have a ways to go to convince the votes here and to get the governor's signature.""Why should the concerns of law enforcement have anything to do with this?I thought law enforcement was supposed to serve the people,not be some sortof publicly funded lobbying group. If things were as they should be,law enforcement would be avoiding busting anypeople under 215.Law enforcement should be on the side of the public,not stirringup politics,and opening their big mouths in an attempt to further the police state....dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Concerned Patient on May 17, 2001 at 20:41:29 PT S.B. 187 S.B. 187 is not good for California patients. Some of the reasons include:====================================================It would have a non-elected board deciding who can use medical marijuana and how much they can grow/use.It would create a registry system for patients stricter than the registry of known sex offenders and includes language that would make it a crime to change doctors without notifying the state within seven days. It requires physicians to issue medical marijuana recommendations on triplicate forms (Obtained through the state registry)It suggests the eventual electronic monitoring of doctorsIt is not supported by the Authors of Prop. 215Is is supported by:· The California Narcotics Officers Association (anti 215 ballot argument sponsor) · The California Medical Association (refused to endorse Proposition 215) · Attorney General Bill Lockyer (continuing in Dan Lungren tradition) . · The California State Sheriff’s Association (another anti 215 ballot argument sponsor) · The California District Attorney’s Association (signed argument against Proposition 215) ====================================================This bill is not what California patients need. Not to mention the cost. It would put an unnecessary (and substantial) financial strain on California, and as I'm sure you are aware....we don't need that right now. Californians For Compassionate Use [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: