MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Bill Would Limit State’s Proposition 215

      State Sen. Richard Rainey (R-Walnut Creek) will propose a measure today asking voters to sharply "restrict medicinal pot to people suffering from HIV, cancer, glaucoma and 'muscle spasms associated with a chronic debilitating condition.'" The Contra Costa Times reports that Proposition 215 permits doctor-prescribed use of marijuana "for any condition 'for which marijuana provides relief.'" Rainey said he is introducing the bill "to 'put some restrictions' on how medical marijuana is used." He said, "I think what we're doing is asking the voters to clarify what they wanted to do. The voters were sympathetic to people who needed to use marijuana for medical purposes. I don't think they realized how wide open that initiative was." Rainey's legislation "would also limit the use of medical marijuana to people over 18 and would require a written, rather than an oral, recommendation by a doctor." The bill would further restrict the right of the "primary caregiver" to prescribe the drug, allowing "only doctors licensed in California ... to recommend marijuana." Currently, Proposition 215 allows caregivers "to possess the drug." The Times notes that "[b]ecause the voters approved Prop. 215, they must also approve any changes." If Rainey's bill passes the state Legislature, "it would then go to the ballot, perhaps as early as November" (Rarick, 2/20).