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About half the counties in the state have approved programs that offer identification cards for users of medicinal marijuana. Stanislaus County is one that still has not.
A few years ago the state lawmakers passed legislation that requires counties to work with the state to develop those cards. They're to be used by people who have shown they need marijuana to ease a serious medical condition.
But while voters in California approved the use of marijuana for medicinal reasons, that use is still considered illegal by the federal government. That's a big reason why so many counties have not yet issued the cards -- that conflict of laws.
It's an especially hot topic in Stanislaus County, where the city of Modesto recently shut down a medicinal marijuana operation. Police accused the operators of distributing marijuana to those who weren't truly in need.
Modesto Police Chief Roy Wasden opposes the creation of a card program because he feels there's too much potential for fraud and abuse.
But supporters of the card program say the paperwork would make it easier for police to identify legitimate uses of medicinal marijuana.
Stanislaus supervisors voted to delay their vote because the issue could soon be settled in court. Three California counties are suing the state, claiming it forces those agencies to break federal law. The Stanislaus board is waiting to see how the courts rule before taking a final vote on the card program.
Among the spectators in Modesto listening to the board, police chief, and others; a Ceres man who's been wheelchair-bound for 30 years. Several discs in Robert Blanchard's back have ruptured and he says he's in pain from head to toe, 24 hours a day.
Blanchard's been smoking marijuana for medical reasons for the last three years. He says that has eased much of his pain, while allowing him to stop taking four other medications.
Newshawk: BluntKilla - 420 Magazine
Source: News10.Net
Pubdate: 10/24/2006
Author: Tim Daly
Copyright: 2006 KXTV
Contact: contact
Website: News10.net
A few years ago the state lawmakers passed legislation that requires counties to work with the state to develop those cards. They're to be used by people who have shown they need marijuana to ease a serious medical condition.
But while voters in California approved the use of marijuana for medicinal reasons, that use is still considered illegal by the federal government. That's a big reason why so many counties have not yet issued the cards -- that conflict of laws.
It's an especially hot topic in Stanislaus County, where the city of Modesto recently shut down a medicinal marijuana operation. Police accused the operators of distributing marijuana to those who weren't truly in need.
Modesto Police Chief Roy Wasden opposes the creation of a card program because he feels there's too much potential for fraud and abuse.
But supporters of the card program say the paperwork would make it easier for police to identify legitimate uses of medicinal marijuana.
Stanislaus supervisors voted to delay their vote because the issue could soon be settled in court. Three California counties are suing the state, claiming it forces those agencies to break federal law. The Stanislaus board is waiting to see how the courts rule before taking a final vote on the card program.
Among the spectators in Modesto listening to the board, police chief, and others; a Ceres man who's been wheelchair-bound for 30 years. Several discs in Robert Blanchard's back have ruptured and he says he's in pain from head to toe, 24 hours a day.
Blanchard's been smoking marijuana for medical reasons for the last three years. He says that has eased much of his pain, while allowing him to stop taking four other medications.
Newshawk: BluntKilla - 420 Magazine
Source: News10.Net
Pubdate: 10/24/2006
Author: Tim Daly
Copyright: 2006 KXTV
Contact: contact
Website: News10.net
