Pubdate: Wed, 20 Feb 2002
Source: Daily Herald, The (UT)
Copyright: 2002 The Daily Herald
Contact:  http://www.harktheherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1480
Author: AssociatedPress
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

CRUSADER CAN'T FIND UTAH LEGISLATOR FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

SALT LAKE CITY -- California medical-marijuana crusader Dennis Robert 
Peron, facing possession charges in Utah, has been unable to find a 
Utah legislator willing to sponsor a bill legalizing marijuana use 
for medical purposes.

However, Peron told a rally Monday on the Capitol steps that he 
believes Utah eventually will join nine other states that allow 
people with cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and other diseases to use 
marijuana to alleviate pain and nausea.

Meanwhile, Peron faces criminal charges in Cedar City, where he and 
two friends were vacationing in November when they were arrested for 
pot possession.

"We brought our message to Utah kind of accidentally," he said.

Peron and his two companions -- John Entwistle, 37, and Kasey Conder, 
19, are charged with third-degree felony drug possession with intent 
to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The charges alleged they were found in possession of nearly a pound 
of marijuana at a Cedar City motel and their car after a maid said 
she picked up the scent in the hall, and the motel owner called 
police.

Peron and Entwistle say they have used marijuana to cure their 
alcoholism. Conder said he uses it for depression. The three carry 
documents signed by California medical doctors approving their use of 
the drug.

Peron helped draft California's medical marijuana law and was founder 
of San Francisco's Cannabis Cultivation Club.

Utah prosecutors say a May 2001 U.S. Supreme Court decision 
invalidated state medical marijuana laws and prevents the creation of 
a Utah law. The high court's decision held that there is no exception 
to federal laws that forbid medical marijuana use.
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MAP posted-by: Josh