Pubdate: Tue, 15 May 2001
Source: Alameda Times-Star (CA)
Copyright: 2001 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.timesstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/731
Author: Jean Whitney, Staff Writer

CLINICAL POT TRIALS WON'T BE HALTED

San Mateo Leader Says Study Goes On

REDWOOD CITY-- Clinical trials with medicinal marijuana by San Mateo County 
doctors would not be affected by Monday's 8-0 U.S. Supreme Court decision 
to outlaw Oakland's cannabis club, according to county officials.

"It makes our efforts even more valuable," said San Mateo County Board of 
Supervisors President Mike Nevin, who spearheaded a county hospital study 
that distributes federal-government-grown marijuana to AIDS patients for 
medical treatment of symptoms.

"It proves to me that until we scientifically prove that the substance in 
marijuana works to relieve pain and suffering for patients, the federal 
government will never accept Proposition 215," said Nevin.

Proposition 215 gave Californians the OK to use pot for medical purposes 
but steered cannabis clubs headlong into conflict with state, federal and 
often local laws on distribution of the otherwise illegal drug.

Nevin, a former San Francisco police inspector, has said he was convinced 
of the medicinal benefits of marijuana use following the personal testimony 
of the late Joni Commons, the county's Health Services deputy director, who 
sought relief from the side effects of treatment for cancer with the drug.

County officials fought three years for a partnership with the federal 
government to secure and distribute the drug legally -- under doctors' 
orders -- for the ground-breaking clinical study.

The year-long trials began last month under Dr. Dennis Israelski at the 
county hospital in San Mateo.

Eight other states, including Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Nevada, have 
passed ballot initiatives similar to California's Proposition 215.

County resident and medical marijuana advocate Seth Yatovitz said he wasn't 
surprised at all by the Supreme Court decision in opposition to cannabis clubs.

"I don't see this as a setback," said Yatovitz.

"The fact that the Supreme Court was even willing to hear this [case-- is 
positive.

"San Mateo County is at the very cutting edge of working with the federal 
government on this and they need feedback from studies like this," added 
Yatovitz.

Yatovitz said his treatment of epilepsy with the drug, under a doctor's 
advice, allowed him to work as a producer with a local cable television 
station.

"It's turned me into a taxpayer," Yatovitz noted.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D