Fwd: [asa] MEDICAL MARIJUANA in the NEWS - ASA's Summary for the Week Ending 10/15

October 16, 2004

MEDICAL MARIJUANA in the NEWS - ASA's Summary for the Week Ending 10/15> NATIONAL: Supreme Court Hears from Unlikely Sources; Why Kerry Would Do Better on Medical Marijuana; Where We’re at on a State-by-State Basis> CALIFORNIA: Enforcement Varies in State; San Luis Obispo Considering Dispensaries> OREGON: Initiative Drawing Fire from Big Guns in D.C.> MONTANA: Initiative Also Getting Attention> VERMONT: Patients Registering Under New Law> HOLLAND: Pharmacy Program Proving Expensive___________NATIONAL: Supreme Court Hears from Unlikely Sources Attorney Generals in three conservative Southern states joined California, Washington and Maryland in filing “Friend of the Court Briefs” with the Supreme Court in the landmark medical marijuana case it will be hearing next month.

All argued that the Appeals Court got it right when it ruled that medical marijuana patients acting under state law must be left alone by the feds. Unlikely allies back state on medical pot by Claire Cooper, Sacramento Bee As final briefs were filed Wednesday in a critical medical marijuana test case, set for argument in the U.S. Supreme Court next month, California got some unlikely allies. State backs medical pot case before U.S. Supreme Court by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle California Attorney General Bill Lockyer sided with two medical marijuana patients Wednesday in their U.S. Supreme Court battle with the Bush administration, arguing that patients who use locally grown marijuana in states that allow it should be protected from federal drug enforcement. ___________NATIONAL: Why Kerry Would Do Better on Medical MarijuanaElection-year promises have gone by the wayside in the past – George W. Bush said he thought medical marijuana was an issue for states to decide – but by all accounts, John Kerry will put an end to the attacks on patients and caregivers that the current adminstration has conducted.Medical marijuana advocates likely to get a break under Kerry by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle Sen. John Kerry hasn't tried to make medical marijuana an issue in his presidential campaign, but he has some differences with President Bush on the subject.___________NATIONAL: Where We’re At on a State-by-State BasisMore states are considering laws to permit medical use, and dozens have general statements supporting additional research, but here’s a rundown on the current legal protections, state by state.Medical marijuana laws in various states by Associated Press, Mercury News A snapshot of medical marijuana rules in various states.___________CALIFORNIA: Enforcement Varies within State

While the intent of the voters in California could not be clearer and the state legislature has followed through with additional measures to protect the right of patients, law enforcement is still embarrassingly haphazard throughout the state.

California marijuana law leaves state dazed and confused by Robert Jablon, Associated Press Enforcement of California's first-in-the nation medical marijuana law is all over the map - literally.___________CALIFORNIA: San Luis Obispo Considering DispensariesThe coastal college town of San Luis Obispo has joined the ranks of those that are trying to take on their responsibilities under the law to implement procedures for safe, legal access. With new state law in place requiring better patient protection, dozens more will be following suit, or fighting lawsuits.SLO Council set to vote on medical pot law by Leslie Griffy, The Tribune - San Luis Obispo Medical marijuana dispensaries could soon spring up in San Luis Obispo. ___________OREGON: Initiative Drawing Fire from Big Guns in D.C.

The nation’s Drug Czar has taken on Oregon’s attempt at expanding medical marijuana protection to more patients, calling it all kinds of evil. The propriety of federal officials campaigning for local ballot measures remains highly questionable, but the Bush Administration is so far undeterred.

OR Measure expands medical marijuana by Gabriela Rico, Statesman Journal A vote to expand Oregon’s medical marijuana program will bring relief to seriously ill Oregonians or it will bring the state one step closer to legalizing the drug. Just depends on who you ask.War On Drugs Includes Fighting Medical Marijuana by Associated Press, WCVB-TV - Boston The Bush administration's war on drugs stretches deep into Asia and Latin America -- yet one of its most crucial campaigns is being waged over medical marijuana this

fall among voters in Oregon. ___________MONTANA: Initiative Also Getting AttentionWhile the feds have given Oregon the bulk of their election-lobbying attention, Montana has not been completely neglected. They didn’t get the Drug Czar himself, but his deputy did plenty to fan fears and spread misinformation.U.S. fights hard against medicinal pot; Most Montanans would back initiative by Allison Farrel, Billings Gazette Ballot Initiative 148, which Montanans will be able to vote on in the general election Nov. 2, would protect patients, their doctors and their caregivers from arrest and prosecution for the medical use of

marijuana.Political Dirty Work: Medical Marijuana by George Ochenski, Missoula Independent/Alternet On a visit to Montana, the deputy drug czar huffed and puffed and spread lies and propaganda about medical marijuana. He should have done his homework first. ___________

VERMONT: Patients Registering Under New Law

The first patients are signing up for Vermont’s brand-new program. Not as many as were expected, which may reflect on the last-minute changes made to the bill that made it more stringent than advocates had proposed.Vermonters Register for Medical Marijuana WCAX-TV After a contentious debate in the legislature only about a dozen Vermonters have applied to use medical marijuana. ___________NETHERLANDS: Pharmacy Program Proving ExpensiveThe Dutch experiment in providing marijuana through pharmacies has not proved as popular there as was expected, in part because patients are offered a better selection of varieties at local coffeeshops, and for the same

price. That may be more a compliment to the coffeeshops than a criticism of the program.Dutch pot program a downer for users by Maria Lokshin, Associated Press There's a whiff of crisis in the air at the Dutch Ministry of Health: It's sitting on a pile of pot that it just can't sell.AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESSA coalition of doctors, patients and advocates, ASA is the largest coalition working solely on medical marijuana. To find out more, visit http://SafeAccessNow.org.