Pubdate: Wed, 09 Aug 2006
Source: San Bernardino Sun (CA)
Copyright: 2006 Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Contact: http://www.sbsun.com/writealetter
Website: http://www.sbsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1417
Author: Nikki Cobb, Staff Writer, San Bernardino County Sun
Cited: San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors 
http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/bos.htm
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/San+Bernardino+County
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?232 (Chronic Pain)

PROTESTERS SEEK MEDICAL CARE, NOT JAIL

Group Wants County to Allow Medical Marijuana Use Under Terms of Prop. 215

SAN BERNARDINO -- A handful of people carrying signs reading "Give us 
our medicine" and "Stop the war on patients" protested outside 
Tuesday's meeting of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

The group was opposed to San Bernardino County's continued policy of 
arresting marijuana users, even those using the drug for medical purposes.

"We're hoping to get medical i.d. cards reinstated in the county," 
said Richard McCabe, of Johnson Valley. "They're trying to make 
criminals out of sick people."

The protesters believe a state law allowing medical marijuana use 
trumps a federal law prohibiting the drug in all circumstances.

Proposition 215, passed by California voters in 1996, allows " ... 
seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana 
for medical purposes..."

The Board of Supervisors is joining San Diego County in suing the 
state for adopting Prop. 215, arguing that it violates federal law 
which makes no allowances for using marijuana growing, posessing or 
using it are illegal in the U.S.

A county official affirmed Tuesday that the supervisors' stance has 
not wavered. The county is still planning to join San Diego County in 
its lawsuit, the official said.

Chris Laue of Joshua Tree said marijuana eases the pain of his severe 
arthritis. Unlike the painkillers his doctor initially prescribed, 
Laue said, he found marijuana to be effective and relatively non-addictive.

Besides chronic pain, marijuana also is used to treat asthma and 
glaucoma, and to aid stroke patients. Laue said he believes state law 
takes precedence over federal law, and is lobbying to have San 
Bernardino County issue medical marijuana i.d. cards, as is done in 
other parts of the state.

McCabe said he uses marijuana for arthritis, and said with the i.d. 
cards he knows he's buying high-quality drugs, rather than the mixed 
bag available on the street.

"Why can't we be like the rest of the state?" he asked.

Sunshine Laue, Chris Laue's wife, said marijuana eases the 
aftereffects of a massive stroke she had 35 years ago. She said she 
wishes the police were on her side, not adversaries, because she 
feels vulnerable in her marijuana use while it is considered illegal.

"It has helped me tremendously," she said of the drug. "It has calmed 
me down ... it has made me feel normal again."

"What's the big deal? It's an herb. It grows in the ground," Sunshine 
Laue said. "God gave it to us."

Bobbi Jo Janssen of Johnson Valley, said she is caretaker for her 
husband, who she has an extremely bad back. Marijuana "helps 
tremendously," she said.

"I think we havve the right to use the medication that is best for 
our body," Janssen said. "MD's legal doctors recommended this 
medication. But we're not allowed to use it." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake