Medical Marijuana Supporters Protest Tacoma's Threat To Clinics

mcwow

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TACOMA, Wash. -
- Worried about losing their only legal way to get medical marijuana, some patients protested outside Tacoma City Hall on Thursday, May 5th.
Supporters of medical marijuana wanted to pressure Tacoma leaders who have told local marijuana dispensaries and co-ops they have to shut down.
Glenda Meuth said that beginning in 2009, she started having two to three grand mal seizures a day. None of the doctor-prescribed seizure medications would work for her, but now that she smokes marijuana three times a day, she no longer suffers seizures.
"None. I have had none since I started cannabis," she said.
Soon, Meuth's marijuana connection could be closing. She gets it from a dispensary like Natural Care Medical in Tacoma, and under the city attorney's recommendation, Tacoma leaders have told the dispensaries they need to shut down because of the vague state law regarding such "clinics."
"We want to make sure that patients who have a legitimate need can get access. But we don't believe the way the dispensaries are operating right now are legal," said Rob McNair-Huff of the city of Tacoma.
The city was hoping lawmakers would clarify the law this past session, but Gov. Chris Gregoire vetoed a medical marijuana bill after the U. S Department of Justice said state employees who license dispensaries could face prosecution.
Now, Tacoma dispensary owners have filed appeals to try to stay open.
A spokesman for the city of Tacoma said they're still hopeful lawmakers can draft a new bill during the current 30-day special session to get some clarification on the law.
Because appeals have been filed by many dispensaries, none of them would likely be forced to shut down for at least several weeks or maybe months.
 
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