MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Officials Should Establish Distribution Guidelines

      In light of the recent ruling by a federal appeals panel that medical necessity may be taken into consideration in assessing the legality of medical marijuana use and distribution, a Los Angeles Times editorial urges state Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) to "support mainstream medical opinion" and "issue guidelines to help local law enforcement officials monitor whether cannabis centers are distributing medical marijuana responsibly." While "some legislators argue that any sort of state guideline on Proposition 215 would encourage recreational use ... of marijuana," the editorial asserts that the "opposite is true." It concludes that "cannabis clubs are already implementing the measure and local law enforcement officials, without guidelines from the state, cannot ensure they are acting responsibly" (9/15).