Medical Marijuana Measure Qualifies for Nov. 2 Berkeley Ballot
The Alliance of Berkeley Patients, a group of cannabis club operators, on Tuesday announced that it had qualified for the Nov. 2 city ballot a measure intended to increase access to cannabis for patients who use marijuana for medical purposes, the Oakland Tribune reports. The measure, called the Patients' Access to Medical Cannabis Act, aims to:
- Replace Berkeley's 10 marijuana plant limit with language that allows patients to possess marijuana for medical purposes in quantities determined by "personal needs," as defined by doctors and patients;
- Establish a peer review committee to oversee the safety and operation of the city's four medical marijuana dispensaries;
- Amend zoning ordinances to allow use permits to be issued; and
- Require the city to distribute marijuana for medical purposes if the Drug Enforcement Administration orders the closure of the medical marijuana dispensaries currently operating in Berkeley (Oakland Tribune, 6/24).
State residents in 1996 sanctioned the use of marijuana for legal purposes under Proposition 215, but marijuana use remains illegal under federal law, the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Hoge, San Francisco Chronicle, 6/24). According to the Tribune, the Berkeley City Council will consider the measure in July. Both measures require a simple majority vote to pass in November (Oakland Tribune, 6/24). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.