cannabisnews.com: State Senator Suggests Research on Marijuana State Senator Suggests Research on Marijuana Posted by FoM on May 31, 2001 at 09:14:32 PT By Jennifer Crowe Source: Reno Gazette-Journal A state senator has suggested creating a statewide research project on the use of medical marijuana as a way to sidestep a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that keeps the state from distributing the illegal drug.Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, said he doesn’t want to approve a policy that would put residents in violation of a federal law. Assembly Bill 453, which allows for medicinal use of the illegal drug, would allow sick Nevadans prescribed marijuana by a licensed doctor to grow plants at home for their personal use. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling does not exempt medical marijuana use from federal laws regarding illegal drugs. Rawson said creating a state research program that would include the 200 or so people expected to apply for medical marijuana use could give Nevadans some legal protection.The state could grow, distribute and monitor the use of marijuana as a medical research project.“It’s feasible for the state to set up a lab,” Rawson said.The Senate Committee on Human Resources and Facilities took no action on the bill. Rawson said the bill would go to subcommittee to see if a research program amendment could be hammered out. Legislators have only five days to approve the bill before the 2001 session ends.Dan Hart of Nevadans for Medical Rights, the group that organized the medical marijuana initiative petition, said his concern with a state research project is that such a plan requires federal approval that may never come.Giunchigliani said her initial plan for a state-run marijuana farm ran into legal problems. Drug Enforcement Administration officials said that plan would get the state into trouble, though there is a tacit understanding with the DEA not to go after sick individuals who smoke pot.Nevada voters have twice approved the use of medical marijuana, with 65 percent voting in favor of the plan in the 2000 election. AB 453 creates a state registry and allows the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue cards identifying approved medical marijuana users. Patients suffering from terminal illnesses like cancer, AIDS and glaucoma would be able to apply for the registry if approved by a licensed Nevada doctor.If approved, the patient could get the identification card and they would be allowed to grow up to seven plants at home. They would only be allowed to use the illegal drug in their home.“We feel this is pretty clear that you can’t walk around smoking a joint,” Giunchigliani said.AB 453 also reduces penalties for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. That change is intended to reflect current court practice to charge drug offenders with misdemeanors even though marijuana possession in Nevada is a felony.Complete Title: State Senator Suggests Research on Medical Marijuana UseSource: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV)Author: Jennifer CrowePublished: May 31st, 2001Copyright: 2001 Reno Gazette-JournalWebsite: http://www.rgj.com/Contact: rgjmail nevadanet.comRelated Articles:Senator Seeks Protection for Users http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9913.shtmlLawmaker: Donations Needed for Programhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9788.shtmlAssembly Panel Approves Nevada Marijuana Plan http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9773.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by ras james rsifwh on May 31, 2001 at 10:59:01 PT EXODUS Give all praise and thanks to Jah Rastafar-I who liveth and reignith in I and I. Yes! For Now and I-ternity, Marijuana has manifested as the "Sacred Tree of Life" marking the End of Tribulations. Book of Revelation 22:1&2 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: