Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jan 2008
Source: Oakland Tribune, The (CA)
Copyright: 2008 ANG Newspapers
Contact: http://www.insidebayarea.com/feedback/tribune
Website: http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/314
Author: Doug Oakley, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Berkeley+City+Council
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/dispensaries
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

BERKELEY DECLARES ITSELF SANCTUARY FOR MEDICAL POT

City Resolves to Guarantee Access to Drug

The Berkeley City Council unanimously passed a plan this week to help 
get medical marijuana to patients if Drug Enforcement Administration 
raids' shut down any of the city-permitted dispensaries.

The resolution passed Tuesday night declares Berkeley a sanctuary for 
medical marijuana users and distributors and commits the city to 
"uphold patients' rights to safe access to medical marijuana" should 
the DEA move on one of two dispensaries in town.

What that means is up to debate at the moment, but the city would at 
least help a new distributor get started or help one restart after a 
DEA raid, council members and activists said. The DEA has shut down 
five medical marijuana dispensaries in the Bay Area in the past year.

Tuesday night's item originally called for the city to get into the 
business of selling marijuana itself if the DEA clamped down, but 
that language was watered down after objections were raised from 
Berkeley police and the city manager. Pat Crossman, 77, who uses 
medical marijuana for disintegrating disk disease and arthritis, 
urged the council to pass the resolution.

"I'm a senior citizen, and I would be very upset if the feds came in 
and busted us and frightened us and stopped what (the distributors) 
are trying to do here," Crossman said. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake