Hemp Update

The Compassionate Use Act Of 1996

by Vicki Oldham

Californians for Compassionate Use have succeeded in qualifying the Medical Marijuana Initiative, Proposition 215, for the November 1996 ballot with 800,000 signatures. Once again the people of California had to use their right to the initiative process. Two years in a row two medical marijuana bills passed both the State Senate and State Assembly with bipartisan support. Pete Wilson, still Governor of California, vetoed the will of his constituents September 1994 and again September 1995 and, in effect, prevented suffering and dying people from obtaining physician prescribed marijuana. In response, 800,000 Californians now demand a vote of the people and a veto of Wilson.

Sunday, August 4th, in a blatantly political move, State Attorney General Dan Lungren (then, GOP Vice-Presidential hopeful) forced his way into the spotlight eight days before the Republican National Convention by raiding and shutting down the San Francisco Cannabis Buyer's Club. Approximately 12,000 patient files were confiscated and homes of organization leaders were also raided. Doctors are being harassed.

Monday morning, August 5th, the staff of Californians for Compassionate Use (CCU) found their office doors broken down, files missing, and a "listening device" hidden on their premises. CCU is a grassroots political organization responsible for putting Prop. 215 on the ballot. They should be under the protection of Calif. Secretary of State, Bill Jones, who as the State's chief election officer has the duty to administer and enforce election laws. It seems that the State Boys got a little carried away and had no warrant to break into CCU offices. Incidentally, along with Dan Lungren, Bill Jones is spearheading the campaign against Prop. 215.

What To Do:

Vote YES on Proposition 215 in November. This is the best chance yet. Take advantage of it.

On the federal level, write to Bill Clinton. Tell him how you feel about the compassionate use of marijuana.

On a local level, urge the Board of Supervisors to acknowledge the therapeutic potential of marijuana and suspend the laws that prevent a buyers' club in Mendocino County.

Take the decision from the politicians and give it to the physicians.

Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1996
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited


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