Next Monday, Nevada becomes the ninth state to enact a medical marijuana law. Applicants can grow as many as seven marijuana plants if they meet state requirements.

Patients suffering from AIDS, cancer, glaucoma and other illnesses can use marijuana as long as they have the written permission of their doctors.

Crofoot said she has received more than 100 additional inquiries from people interested in the medical marijuana program.

As many as 200 people may be accepted into the program in its first year, Crofoot said.

Once they receive applications, prospective participants must be fingerprinted to determine if they have been convicted of selling a controlled substance. Such a conviction disqualifies them from the program.

Crofoot will send information back to patients when they have been accepted into the program. They will be given addresses of Department of Motor Vehicles offices where they can secure for $9 a license stating that they are medical marijuana users.

She estimated that it will be several weeks before the first medical marijuana users are approved.

In the November election, 65 percent of the voters approved Question 9, the constitutional amendment that allowed Nevadans to use medical marijuana.

Lawmakers in the last legislative session approved a bill by Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, to set up the medical marijuana program. She based the Nevada program on one in Oregon that has had few problems.

"This is the voters' wishes," Giunchigliani said. "I commend the Department of Agriculture for well-reasoned regulations."

Use of marijuana remains a federal crime. But there has been no federal prosecution in states where individuals grow their own marijuana

Because marijuana use remains a federal crime, Crofoot will not give approved patients any information on how to grow marijuana or where to find seeds.

"We cannot advise them of anything," she said. "That would be aiding and abetting. They will have to find out by word of mouth."

Web sites advise people how to acquire seeds. Magazines also are readily available on bookstands that offer people assistance in growing marijuana.

At hearings, several potential users told Crofoot they wanted to voluntarily give their names to other users and create focus groups to discuss mutual problems.

Crofoot said that was not possible because the law makes the identity of users confidential.

Giunchigliani supports the idea, however, and may pursue legislation to allow users to contact each other.

Crofoot said people who want to use medical marijuana can call 775-684-5333 for applications.

Note: Applicants can grow seven plants with doctor's OK.

Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)
Author: Ed Vogel, Donrey Capital Bureau
Published: Tuesday, September 25, 2001
Copyright: Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2001
Contact: letters@lvrj.com
Website: http://www.lvrj.com/

Related Articles & Web Site:

Medicinal Cannabis Research Links
http://freedomtoexhale.com/research.htm

Start of Under-Funded Program Nears
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10946.shtml

Medical Marijuana Clears Final State Hurdle
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10772.shtml

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help

[ Post Comment ]