Pubdate:  Fri, 8 Aug 1997

Source: Contra Costa Times, Second Editorial

Contact: Reefer madness '90s style

LAST NOVEMBER, California voters demonstrated their support for the
medical use of marijuana by passing Proposition 215. The percentages of
approval were even higher in the East Bay than statewide with 63 percent
of Contra Costa County voters favoring the measure and 71 percent of
Alameda County.

	Voters saw the initiative for what it was: an easy way to give people
with painful conditions, such as AIDS, cancer or glaucoma, an other
choice. That's why it was named the Compassionate Use Act Some studies
and anecdotal evidence have indicated that marijuana can ease the pain of
these and other debilitating illnesses.

	Unfortunately, roadblocks seem to appear at every turn to keep the
controversial measure from taking hold. Opponents are convinced that it
will destroy the fabric of our society, that our children will be ruined
and that cannabis clubs will spring up on every street corner like
taverns.

	Last December; drug czar Barry McCaffrey threatened to prosecute doctors
who recommended marijuana to patients on the grounds that it sends the
wrong message to children. A federal judge issued a preliminary
injunction in May stopping federal action against physicians who included
marijuana in their treatment options.

	But in light of McCaffrey's threats, the California Medical Association
issued some safeguards in an attempt to keep doctors out of trouble. The
CMA instructed doctors not to write prescriptions for pot and not to tell
patients how to obtain it. But they could mention it as a possible
treatment in a patient's chart.

	This irrational stream of circumstances continued into local government
as well. Contra Costa County District Attorney Gary Yancey in essence has
said that cannabis clubs will open here over his dead body. Since
cannabis clubs operate in San Francisco and Alameda County, he reasons
that anyone wanting it badly enough can travel there. His attitude should
insult not only the sick who are in need of pain relief but also
freemarket economists, who contend the marketplace should be the arbiter
of whether a demand exists.

	When local entrepreneur Bobby Judd approached the Martinez City Council,
and later the Concord City Council, with a proposition to open a
deliveryonly dispensary business they quickly slapped a moratorium on
any marijuanarelated business.

	Granted, this is new territory for suburban city councils. Maybe they
need a little time to work out local ordinances and zoning. But they
shouldn't stall or put off a decision indefinitely simply because it's a
business that they may not feel comfortable with. They should deal with
those technicalities quickly and sensibly.

	The medical use of marijuana is allowed under California law now and
there is no constitutional reason for it to be overturned. The sooner
that state, county and local leaders accept that, the better it will be
for everyone