cannabisnews.com: Lawmaker: Donations Needed for Program Lawmaker: Donations Needed for Program Posted by FoM on May 19, 2001 at 06:44:19 PT By Ed Vogel, Donrey Capital Bureau Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani wants average Nevadans to donate $5 to $10 each to a fund to pay the $30,000 startup costs of the state's medical marijuana program. She said Friday that she hopes residents will send checks to the state treasurer's office to provide the money to start the program under which doctors would authorize patients with AIDS, cancer and other illnesses to use marijuana. The Assembly could act next week on Assembly Bill 133, Giunchigliani's bill to put into effect the voter-approved constitutional amendment setting up a medical marijuana program. The bill would allow qualified patients to grow as many as seven marijuana plants in their homes. They could not have more than 1 ounce of usable marijuana on hand at any time. The proposal also would amend state law so that small-time pot users could not be charged with felonies. They would be charged with misdemeanors for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana and pay $600 fines. Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, secured an opinion from legislative attorneys that the state can establish the medical marijuana program, despite Monday's U.S. Supreme Court decision that some observers thought shot down medical marijuana laws in nine states, including Nevada. The bill was approved Thursday by the Assembly Ways and Means Committee after amendments were adopted taking out the obligation for the state to put up $30,000 to start the program. Instead the state will accept gifts and donations to start it. The money is needed to hire a part-time secretary and pay for cards that patients would receive if they were accepted into the program. Former gubernatorial candidate Aaron Russo said recently that he would put up the money to start the program, and Giunchigliani said she will take him up on his offer. But she hopes more people will participate. "Anyone who supported the medical marijuana program should send five bucks in and let the Legislature know you support this legislation and are willing to put up money," she said. State Treasurer Brian Krolicki said donations should be sent to the Medical Marijuana Fund, Nevada Treasurer's Office, 101 N. Carson St., Suite 4, Carson City, NV 89701. Giunchigliani expects the Senate will adopt the bill without any changes. Then it would be forwarded to Gov. Kenny Guinn. Guinn has expressed reluctance to approve the medical marijuana program because of federal laws outlawing possession of marijuana. Sixty-five percent of the state voters approved the medical marijuana amendment in November's election.Note: Amended measure does not include necessary funding. Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)Author: Ed Vogel, Donrey Capital Bureau Published: Saturday, May 19, 2001Copyright: 2001 Las Vegas Review-JournalContact: letters lvrj.comWebsite: http://www.lvrj.com/Related Articles:Assembly Panel Approves Nevada Marijuana Plan http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9773.shtmlBacker of Nevada Program To Keep Workinghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9739.shtmlEx-Candidate Offers To Fund Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9656.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by wades on May 20, 2001 at 08:44:36 PT: Any Nevada citizens out there? IANAL, but this looks like a situation where you might be able to get the ACLU to help with a court action against the state legislature to compel them to comply with the law.I don't think the initiative said anything about allowing the state to refuse to fund the program it was forced to enact. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: