Pubdate: Sat, 16 Apr 2005
Source: Tribune, The (CA)
Copyright: 2005 The Tribune
Contact:  http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispotribune/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/391
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)

WHY MEDICAL POT REGISTRY IS URGENT

We would like to see some clarity, cost effectiveness and compassion
when it comes to the issue of medicinal marijuana.

Here's the issue: Morro Bay police arrested Robert Marshall for
growing marijuana -- seizing 75 of his plants in the process. Marshall
admitted growing the pot but said it was legal for him to do so under
the Compassionate Use Act passed by California voters in 1996. Late
last month, a judge sided with him and dropped the charges.

Marshall's experience isn't unusual. Elsewhere in California, medical
marijuana growers have wound up in court -- in part because the state
has yet to develop a uniform way to identify those authorized to grow
the drug.

As we see it, such prosecutions cost everyone involved, including
taxpayers, and that's something we can ill afford in this time of
fiscal uncertainty.

Some counties have taken the initiative to establish their own
registries. Santa Barbara County, for example, set up a registration
program nearly a year ago, in consultation with law enforcement. Since
July, Santa Barbara County has issued 200 ID cards to caregivers and
to patients.

Other counties, including San Luis Obispo, have been waiting for the
state to issue guidelines for registries.

That wait may be nearing an end. Nine years after voters approved the
Compassionate Use Act, the state Department of Health Services finally
is moving forward with a pilot registry program, due to kick off in
May.

Once the pilot period has ended, all counties will be required to
issue ID cards. That could happen as early as August.

Seven counties have signed up to take part in the pilot, though San
Luis Obispo County is not among them.

"We thought they ought to work out the bugs," said Greg Thomas, county
health officer. "We would be very happy to sign on after they've got
the kinks worked out."

We urge the state Health Services Department to work out those kinks
as quickly as possible, but if the agency drags its feet, San Luis
Obispo County should begin the registry process on its own -- saving
police and prosecutors needless time and expense, and sparing
caregivers and their patients undue pain down the road.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin