Pubdate: Fri, 29 Oct 2004 Source: California Aggie, The (UC Davis, CA Edu) Copyright: 2004sThe California Aggie Contact: http://www.californiaaggie.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2725 Author: Christian Danielsen Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California) LEGAL MARIJUANA SALES BANNED IN SACRAMENTO, FOR NOW Cities Scramble To Regulate Medicinal Use Sacramento County renewed a temporary ban on medical marijuana dispensaries last week in order to draft rules for the controversial facilities. The 10-month ban is an extension of a 45-day ban started on Sept. 21 in response to a request by Sacramento resident John Ambrosini to open a dispensary. Ambrosini's request was denied by the Sacramento Planning Department on zoning grounds, a decision he is challenging through administrative appeal. The use of marijuana for medical purposes has been legal under state law since 1996, when Californians passed Proposition 215, the Medical Marijuana Act. Since then the law has remained in a legal gray area, as the possession, use or distribution of marijuana for any reason is still illegal under federal law. "It's a very complicated situation," said Ambrosini's lawyer Jeffery Kavitz. "But, the fact is, there is no system for people to receive their medication in a lawful manner. If there isn't a place where they can get it, then the intent of the law is thwarted." While disappointed the board did not act immediately, Kavitz said he was pleased they established a task force that will report back with recommendations for regulating the legal sale of marijuana. "At the hearing, one of the supervisors even told a story about one of her friends who uses marijuana for medical relief," Kavitz said. Despite repeated attempts, none of the supervisors could be reached for comment on any opposition to allowing regulated dispensaries. Kavitz noted that establishing regulations would only be a first step towards a system that would fulfill the intent of Proposition 215. The law also mandated that counties establish a special identification system for people who are using marijuana for medical purposes. No county has done that, he said, leading to the inadvertent arrests of people who are allowed to possess the drug under state law. The Davis City Council extended their own 45-day moratorium to 10 more months on Sept. 14, asking staff to return with regulation recommendations within three months. The cities of Auburn, Citrus Heights and Elk Grove all have ordinances that regulate the sale of medical marijuana. UC Davis junior Danny Kelley has a doctor's recommendation for medical marijuana to treat pain from scoliosis and shoulder surgery. He said the drug provides him relief without using drugs he doesn't trust. "I don't really like taking chemicals," he said. "I prefer this because it's pretty much natural, and it definitely works." As for groups that deny that marijuana has any medical value, Kelley shrugs them off. "Don't knock it until you've tried it," he said.