Pubdate: Sat, 16 Feb 2002
Source: Appeal-Democrat (CA)
Copyright: 2002 Appeal-Democrat
Contact:  http://www.appeal-democrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1343
Author: Lois Gormley

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATES HOST RALLY

Yuba County Compassionate Use Co-op Hopes to Draw More Attention to its Cause

Supporters of medical marijuana rallied Friday in Marysville to draw 
support for their cause.

Bonnie Metcalf, spokesperson for the Yuba County Compassionate Use Co- op, 
said as many as 50 people gathered at Veteran's Memorial Park during the 
four-hour event.

The group also had a candlelight vigil for those members of the co-op who 
have died since it was formed in 1997. About 15 co-op members have died of 
various conditions in the past five years, Metcalf said.

Under Proposition 215, a doctor may recommend that patients use marijuana 
for medicinal purposes.

The law does not allow patients to sell or supply other patients with the 
drug, according to prosecutors in Yuba and Sutter counties.

Metcalf said the drug helps cancer patients deal with pain from 
chemotherapy and the resulting nausea.

She said the group is trying to show the community they are sick people who 
are attempting to live without pain, not just a bunch of individuals who 
want to smoke pot.

Metcalf caregiver's, Steven King, was arrested last month on suspicion of 
marijuana cultivation in Yuba City. He's scheduled to be back in court 
later this month.
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