cannabisnews.com: Davis Signs Medical Marijuana Bill





Davis Signs Medical Marijuana Bill
Posted by CN Staff on October 13, 2003 at 17:54:54 PT
By Jennifer Coleman, Associated Press Writer
Source: Associated Press 
Sacramento -- Gov. Gray Davis has signed a bill that will create a card for medical marijuana users to help protect them from arrest, but he vetoed another that would have let pharmacists sell up to 30 hypodermic needles without a prescription.Davis' deadline to sign or veto legislation was Sunday, by which time he had signed a total of 909 bills this year and vetoed 58. Last year, the Legislature send Davis 1,433 bills, of which he vetoed 263.
The rush of bill signings and vetoes capped a year that saw Davis, a Democrat, approve new laws that let undocumented immigrants get driver's licenses, expand rights for domestic partners and mandate many businesses to provide health insurance for their workers.Opponents of those three hotly debated new laws have filed papers to put referendums on the ballot to let voters determine whether the state should implement the laws.Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger "will take a close look at new laws that Gov. Davis signed in recent weeks," said Karen Hanretty, spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger.Last week, Schwarzenegger asked Davis to refrain from making any more appointments and from signing the hundreds of bills left on the governor's desk, though bills not signed or vetoed by the governor by the deadline automatically become law.Schwarzenegger didn't specify which bills he didn't want to see become law.If Schwarzenegger objects to any of the newly enacted laws, he'll ask the Legislature to change them, Hanretty said, or he'll take it to the people by way of a referendum.Since he was recalled in last Tuesday's special election, Davis' final wave of bill signings and vetoes was the source of much speculation whether he would approve a final wave of liberal legislation before Republican Schwarzenegger takes office in November.Among the bills signed just before the Sunday deadline was one by Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clara, that directs the Department of Health Services to provide medical marijuana users with a card that protects them from arrest.The identification cards are designed to protect medical marijuana users from arrest by state and local law enforcement officers.Proposition 215, approved by California voters in 1996, allows Californians with cancer, HIV and certain other chronic medical conditions to grow and use marijuana to ease nausea and other health problems, if a physician recommends it.Cultivation, possession and use of marijuana remains a crime under federal law.Davis vetoed another Vasconcellos bill, which aimed to reduce the number of AIDS cases by letting adults buy up to 30 hypodermic needles at a time without a doctor's prescription.Supporters of the bill say it would have reduced the sharing of needles by drug addicts, which would slow the spread of AIDS and other blood borne diseases.In his veto message, Davis said the bill would have undermined one-for-one needle exchange programs already in place, and would weaken county oversight of such programs.Davis also vetoed a bill that would have allowed undocumented immigrants to apply for tuition waivers at California community colleges.That bill, by Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Norwalk, would have required that the student attended high school in California for at least three years, obtained a diploma or an equivalent degree and, if the student isn't in the state legally, had applied to become a legal resident.Opponents said the bill followed in the footsteps of the bill Davis signed in September that allows illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses. Supporters said the bill would help those students become educated members of the state's work force, helping the economy.Davis said a bill he signed in 2001, which eliminated the higher out-of-state tuition rate for some immigrant students, provided those students with the opportunity to attend college in California. Escutia's bill, he said, would "result in significant additional costs to the state" because of the lost tuition.Complete Title: Davis Signs Medical Marijuana Bill, Vetoes Needle BillSource: Associated Press Author: Jennifer Coleman, Associated Press WriterPublished: October 13, 2003Copyright: 2003 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmGroups on Both Sides Oppose Marijuana Bill http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17412.shtmlMedical Marijuana Card Bill Goes To The Governorhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17354.shtmlThird Time Could Be a Charm for Pot Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16552.shtml 
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on October 14, 2003 at 22:11:37 PT
ekim
That was very nice. Keep up the good work you do too.
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Comment #17 posted by E_Johnson on October 14, 2003 at 10:30:07 PT
Davis promised to be "Death on Crime"
One could take his campaign promise two ways, I suppose, Dan B.
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Comment #16 posted by ekim on October 14, 2003 at 08:24:59 PT
Thank you FoM
you surly have enuf for at least 10 people to do and how you do all of this is a wonder, i really appreciate how you seem to bring the good out in all the commenters here.
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Comment #15 posted by ekim on October 14, 2003 at 08:09:32 PT
Dan good question for the debate
if you see Dennis please ask him how he stands on this issue of compassion and common sense.
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Comment #14 posted by Dan B on October 14, 2003 at 07:50:11 PT
A Different Focus
I am glad to read that Davis passed 420, but there is another aspect of this article that is deeply disconcerting. Re-read that first sentence:Gov. Gray Davis has signed a bill that will create a card for medical marijuana users to help protect them from arrest, but he vetoed another that would have let pharmacists sell up to 30 hypodermic needles without a prescription.While we celebrate the first part of that sentence, we should also condemn Davis for the second part. That law would have greatly reduced the sharing of needles, a major cause of the spread of HIV and Hepatitis. Davis had no political reason for not signing that bill, which means that he rejected it because he truly disagrees with it. Why?What does Davis have against preventing the spread of deadly diseases? Why does he not understand that there is no "down side" to signing that bill into law? What could he possibly have been thinking when he rejected it? Will we ever get an explanation? Why did this bill fall into the approximately 5% of bills that he did NOT sign when they passed his desk?I applaud Davis's support of 420, but I also strongly condemn his refusal to sign into law a bill whose only purpose is to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Dan B
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Comment #13 posted by Jose Melendez on October 14, 2003 at 07:43:47 PT
maybe it's this one...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-3262431,00.html
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Comment #12 posted by Jose Melendez on October 14, 2003 at 07:42:05 PT
this one disappeared from google
Strangely, this article appeared first, yet is now missing from google's news search. Thanklfully, my cache rescued the link:http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/4153304.html
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Comment #11 posted by Jose Melendez on October 14, 2003 at 07:37:08 PT
rejected!
http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/4153304.htmlhttp://foxnews.com/story/0,2933,99995,00.html
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Comment #10 posted by Virgil on October 13, 2003 at 21:26:11 PT
The drug war weakens
"Give me coca or give me death" is the spirit of many in Bolivia. The pipeline to the Pacific from the largest gas deposits in South America with a sellout to the energy companies has the 8 million Bolivians against the 1%. "We are not going to have dialogue with the murderers of the people," said Evo Morales, who leads the powerful coca growers union and who finished a close second in the presidential election last year. After the "massacre" over the weekend, he added, the opposition's attitude toward the president is one of "resignation or nothing."
The drug war is unraveling and a strand is about to break
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Comment #9 posted by DeVoHawk on October 13, 2003 at 21:16:31 PT
Kucinich Makes me Laugh
Dennis has no chance of winning to those who do not know about him. I've been trying to plant K seeds and those who learn about him generally take a liking to him. Willie Nelson is a wonderful person for endorsement especially in Texas.Dennis still has a soul where most of the candidates have their souls on lease to own agreements. Ron Paul is also great but a different party.I will register for the Democratic party to have a chance to vote for Dennis in the Primary. I'm not a vegaterian at all but I think it is a good idea to have a new perspective on food.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on October 13, 2003 at 20:46:49 PT
Hi ekim
I wanted to mention to you that I like Kucinich. He looks like he really cares about why he wants to be President. I don't get involved in politics because it is just too much for me to do with doing CNews and my personal life. I don't know what chance he has because money can effect who gets elected but he seems like a good man and I wanted to say that to you.
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Comment #7 posted by ekim on October 13, 2003 at 20:27:50 PT
Gov Grahmholm please showcase Ann Arbor
we have Gov Grahmholm having to come in MI and cut and scale back programs left and right. if only she would have listened to Geo.== with the R Gov Engler having signed the end to Mandatory Minimums which have saved the state Billions in prison space. it is time Gov Grahmholm show how the 32 year study in Ann Arbor has been a resounding success. With fewer students loosing there loans and less money spent for arrests -- just a fine. tome:) couldentresist. 
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Comment #6 posted by ekim on October 13, 2003 at 20:10:30 PT
this is my question to Dennis here is hopen
 Davis has laid down the challange. John Walters and Kucinich at Oakland with Jerry Brown hosting and Arnold reffing. are the partys the same or different or is there bipartisan support for peace.
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Comment #5 posted by ekim on October 13, 2003 at 20:04:52 PT
if anyone sees Dennis ask when the debate is
TUESDAY, OCT. 148:30a - 9:45a UPDATED
Albuquerque, NM
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
2401 12th St. NW
800-766-4405
Everyone Welcome! Maggie Adkins 505/867-1115
kucinich newmexico.com10:00a - 10:30a
Albuquerque, NM
University of New Mexico
Student Union Building, Ballroom A1:00p - 2:30p
Austin, TX
Hilton-Austin Airport
9515 New Airport Drive
Austin, TX 78719
Contact: Sheril Smith 512/468-21313:00p - 5:00p
Oklahoma City, OK
Wiley Post Airport Terminal Building
5915 Philip J. Rhoades Ave.
Bethany, OK
RSVP: Oklahoma Kucinich Headquarters 405/427-2300 c: 405/249-5998
dk2004 okforkucinich.us6:00p - 7:30p
Minneapolis, MN
Roosevelt High School
4029 28th Ave. S.
Davis has laid down the challange. John Walters and Kucinich at Oakland with Jerry Brown hosting and Arnold reffing. are the partys the same or different or is there bipartisan support for peace.http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htmMinneapolis, MN
Contact: 651/489-88518:00p - 9:30p
Chicago, IL
Chicago Hilton O'Hare
Inside airport, across from Terminal 2
Chicago, IL
Contact: Lance Goebel 815/462-1961
Kucinich for President IL Campaign 866/222-6016
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 13, 2003 at 19:29:08 PT
Very Nice Virgil
Happy Thanksgiving Canada. I don't know where we are but I do know it is always darkest before Dawn.
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Comment #3 posted by Virgil on October 13, 2003 at 19:09:16 PT
Happy Thanksgiving Canada
http://www.vote-smart.org/ The second Monday of October is Thanksgiving in Canada. I hope you add soup to your Thanksgiving tradition.I guess the big thing on the horizon in this country is the Alaska vote for Free Cannabis. I hope it inspires California to do the same. Like EJ says, ask for what you want. But more than that advance what we want as the best path. Actually that is where I should quit but after reading the word horizon and nothing on television, I’ll throw out half an idea. It deals with dawn and sunrise. Now dawn is when the sun’s light ends the night and sunrise comes when the sun is visible on the horizon. But where have we had dawn for MMJ and where is there sunlight. I guess really the sun shines brightest in Holland. But I really wonder about our country. Has California seen the dawn? I guess they have and of course sunrise cannot come without the death of the Schedule One Lie.And has Canada seen the sun of a new day? How can they when only 600 people have legal access and there are no licensed growers? The doctor’s do not support the program and where a GP can write prescriptions for all FDA medicines in Canada, even AIDS patients and people that will die in one year need a specialists. Outside of a few diseases, cannabis medication still needs a GP and two specialist four years after the courts recognized the rights of the people to live and benefit from cannabinoids produced by a plant. There is light, but no sun.The gravity of the situation is clear, but an unseen force is acting upon the situation. Now just like gravity that cannot be seen and only felt, this force permeates everything. Name one group of people calling for tougher sentencing in cultivation cases in Britain and Canada? There is no advocacy for such a definition of freedom. The call is loud and clear and indignant that they change the harsh laws they now have and some unseen force wants to pull this reason to the center of the earth to be lost.Now this force knows that cannabis is not number one for nothing and it is not going away. They say, we will ease the laws on consumers as long as they waste gas and pay big prices. It sounds like the CIA wants in on the big market where customers are welcome and growers outside the unbrand can pay for the prohibition when their profits are worth taking. There is an unseen force all right. Everyone should explore the force. It is powerful but it cannot stop the sun from rising.
 
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 13, 2003 at 18:43:40 PT
T-Shirts Banned 
'Take a Hit' T-shirts Banned from High SchoolOctober 13, 2003GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) - A booster club's tie-dyed t-shirt that reads ''We can take a hit'' has caused a stir at Campbell County High School.The shirt was designed for the football season by members of the Madd Dog club, a group of seniors who display school spirit at games.Some school officials say ''take a hit'' refers to marijuana use. They have banned the shirts at school and all related games and functions.''Anything that may be offensive or promote drug or alcohol abuse, we don't allow,'' Principal Bill Peters said.Some seniors at Friday night's homecoming game against Cheyenne Central said school officials may be the ones taking a hit.''We did it just for football,'' said Chance Gambrel, 18, a leader of the group. ''They can take it how they want. It's not what we intended.''Madd Dog shirts in past years have said ''We came, we saw, we passed out'' or ''Win or lose, we still booze.''The latest shirt is tame in comparison, argued Eugene Lopez, 17. ''It's showing we have school spirit as a school,'' he said.Some seniors wore their Madd Dog T-shirts under their clothing at the football game Friday night, displaying them in flashes until faculty warned them to cover up.Copyright: 2003 Associated Press
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Comment #1 posted by Jose Melendez on October 13, 2003 at 18:11:04 PT
mandatory minimum
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2003/10/13/mixed_message_on_drunken_driving/
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