Pubdate: Wed, 08 Feb 2006
Source: Daily Press (Victorville, CA)
Copyright: 2006 Daily Press
Contact: http://www.vvdailypress.com/contact/
Website: http://www.vvdailypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1061
Author: Tracie Troha, Staff Writer
Cited: San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors 
http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/bos.htm
Cited: San Diego County Board of Supervisors 
http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/general/bos.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

PROTESTERS PICKET COUNTY OVER MARIJUANA SUIT

Supervisors' Pending Legal Action Claims State, Federal Laws on 
Medical Marijuana Don't Match

SAN BERNARDINO -- Holding posters and signs displaying images of 
marijuana leaves, more than 50 people Tuesday protested San 
Bernardino County's opposition to "medical marijuana clinics."

The protesters were angry over the decision by the Board of 
Supervisors to join San Diego County in a lawsuit against the state 
challenging the legality of medical marijuana laws.

One of the protesters, Alcina Talbott of Crestline, said she is 
constantly in pain and the drug is more effective than traditional 
prescription medicines.

"I prefer the effects of marijuana than Vicadin," Talbott said.

Talbott, a registered nurse and disabled county employee, brought her 
12-year-old daughter to the protest at the County Government Center.

"My kids know the difference between medicinal and street 
(marijuana)," she said. "I don't want the street to look at my kids 
as customers."

William Britt, representing the Association of Patient Advocates, 
said he has epilepsy and keeps his medical marijuana with him at all times.

"I've had my medicine taken away from me over 20 times," he said. 
"I've been to trial with many patients in San Bernardino County. 
That's thousands of dollars of taxpayers' money wasted."

Britt said county officials have "no compassion" in their efforts to 
challenge the state's medical marijuana laws.

County Counsel Ron Reitz said despite the protests, the county plans 
to pursue the lawsuit.

"It will be filed in federal court in San Diego County (on 
Wednesday)," Reitz said.

The county is suing the state because it believes California's 
medical marijuana laws conflict with federal laws and are therefore invalid. 
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