Pubdate: Sun, 05 Jan 2014
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.mercurynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390

ADVOCATES APPEAL POT BAN

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Medical marijuana activists are appealing a 
California court decision that upheld a Northern California city's 
ban on marijuana cultivation.

Members of the Live Oak Patients, Caregivers and Supporters 
Association petitioned the California Supreme Court on Friday to 
review the decision issued in November by the Third District Court of Appeal.

Joe Elford, chief counsel with Americans for Safe Access, writes in 
the petition that prohibiting qualified medical marijuana users from 
growing their own pot violates the state's medical marijuana laws.

The Supreme Court ruled last year that local governments can outlaw 
marijuana dispensaries. The Third District said the reasoning in that 
decision applies to growing marijuana as well, but Elford maintains 
they are separate issues.

Fresno County lawmakers have given preliminary approval to a ban on 
homegrown marijuana and are scheduled to take a final vote on Tuesday.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom