California Healthline Highlights Recent Medical Marijuana News
Several California localities recently took action related to the use of marijuana for medical purposes under Proposition 215, a 1996 state law that allows state residents to use marijuana with a doctor's recommendation. Summaries appear below.
A medical marijuana advocacy group on Monday said a new ordinance that will take effect next month in Clovis bans medical marijuana dispensaries and violates state law, the Fresno Bee reports.
The ordinance bans marijuana dispensaries, but allows patients to grow plants in cooperatives. Cultivation will be limited to six mature plants or 12 immature plants per patient and requires collective cultivation of no more than 24 plants in industrial areas or large residential lots. The ordinance also requires that no more than four users of medical marijuana reside together in the same home.
Mark Stout of Californians for Safe Access said the ordinance "is a de facto prohibition on dispensaries," which he said are "the only safe way many patients have for safe access to medical marijuana." Stout added that Americans for Safe Access considers the ban a violation of California state law (Benjamin, Fresno Bee, 12/6).
Riverside County on Thursday began processing applications for medical marijuana identification cards, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports. Applicants must provide a valid doctor's prescription for marijuana and proof of residency to obtain a card. Cards will be valid for one year and one day (Trone/Gang [1], Riverside Press-Enterprise, 12/2).
The San Bernardino County Public Health Department in January will begin issuing medical marijuana identification cards to residents with a valid doctor's prescription, department Director Jim Felten said on Thursday, the Press-Enterprise reports.
Cards will cost about $100 and be valid for one year and one day. The county health department will hire two employees to oversee the program (Gang/Trone [2], Riverside Press-Enterprise, 12/2).