Pubdate: Tue, 19 Dec 2000
Source: Associated Press
Copyright: 2000 Associated Press

GOVERNOR APPROVES MEDICAL MARIJUANA RULES

Gov. Ben Cayetano has approved rules governing the possession and use of 
marijuana for medical purposes. They take effect next week Thursday.

Under a law passed earlier this year, doctors can get a registration 
certificate for their patient to use marijuana to ease pain caused by 
debilitating diseases such as cancer and AIDS. The fee is $25.

Ted Sakai, director of the Department of Public Safety, announced the rules 
Tuesday, allowing certified patients to possess up to three ounces of 
marijuana and to grow up to seven plants -- three mature and four immature

Otherwise, the cultivation or possession of marijuana remains illegal under 
state law. It remains illegal even for medical purposes under federal law, 
but Sakai said the state is seeking to resolve the conflict with the 
federal government.

Medical marijuana is now legal in nine states, although the U.S. Supreme 
Court agreed last month review the conflict between the state and federal laws.

The medical marijuana law left it up to the Department of Public Safety to 
come up with rules to administer the use of the otherwise illegal drug.

"The program is designed to alleviate suffering in the community and get 
some experience and make it work properly," Sakai said.
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