Pubdate: Thu, 30 May 2013
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)
Copyright: 2013 Las Vegas Review-Journal
Website: http://www.lvrj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/233
Author: Ed Vogel
Page: B1

MARIJUANA MEASURE ADVANCES

Bill Proposes Using State-Regulated Dispensaries, Grow Farms

CARSON CITY - The state Senate backed a bill Wednesday that would set
up state-regulated medical marijuana dispensaries and grow farms
across Nevada. The vote was 17-4. Under Senate Bill 374, as many as 40
pharmacy-like dispensaries could be created in Clark County, 10 in
Washoe County and at least one in each rural county. State-regulated
farms also would be created.

The bill, however, still must go through hearings and a vote in the
Assembly before being sent to Gov. Brian Sandoval for his signature,
and the Legislature adjourns at midnight Monday.

The drug could be sold only to Nevadans who have state-authorized
medical marijuana cards, who number 3,785 right now. A doctor's
authorization would be required for a person to use medical marijuana
for treatment of AIDS, pain, cancer, nausea and illnesses.

State voters in 1998 and 2000 approved a constitutional amendment to
allow Nevadans to have access to medical marijuana, though marijuana
remains illegal under federal law.

The Legislature in 2001 passed an enabling law allowing authorized
medical marijuana patients to grow as many as seven plants each. But
District Judge Don Mosley ruled last year that the law was
unconstitutional because it did not provide many patients a reasonable
way to acquire marijuana.

Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, then drew up the dispensary
bill.

The bill would remove the right of patients to grow their own
marijuana, but he said he wants the Assembly to put that back in and
give only existing patients the right to grow marijuana.

Sen. Mark Hutchison, R-Las Vegas, noted he is a conservative who voted
against the medical marijuana amendment, but he supports the
dispensary bill. He argued that unlike California, Nevada will
regulate dispensaries in an appropriate manner.

"It doesn't matter what I think about the wisdom of using marijuana,"
Hutchison said. "But if you believe in the rule of law, we cannot pick
which constitutional rights we should support."

Sen. Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City, said that as a medical doctor he has
prescribed Marinol, the pill version of marijuana, to his patients,
but opposed the bill.

Because Marinol is available by prescription, Hardy said medical
marijuana is not needed.

"And besides, smoking is bad for you," he added.

Sen. Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, backed the bill but said he was
concerned about removal of the growyour-own language. He said some or
his constituents cannot afford the expected $400-an-ounce cost.

Also voting no were Republican Sens. Barbara Cegavske of Las Vegas,
Don Gustavson of Sparks and James Settelmeyer of Minden.

In other action on legislation Wednesday, Sandoval signed two bills
into law.

Assembly Bill 243, Brianna's Law, requires people arrested on felony
charges to give DNA cheek swabs to police. The hope is the DNA will
tie them to unsolved crimes. The bill is named after Brianna Denison,
a 19-year-old Reno college student killed in 2008. James Biela, who
was convicted of her murder and the rape of another college student,
is waiting execution at Ely State Prison. Supporters think the murder
could have been avoided if the law had been in effect at the time.
Biela had an arrest record.

Assembly Bill 60, gives the secretary of state more control over
donation efforts made by charities. The charities must give
information about themselves and their purpose, and that information
will be posted on the secretary of state's website. Supporters
testified that charities claim their donations are tax-deductible when
often they are not.
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