Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
Article Last Updated: 05/09/2008 08:24:23 AM PDT
To the Editor:
We have heard the No on B campaign say there is no rhyme or reason for the 6-plant limit in state regulations. However, a visit to the pro-marijuana Web site, www.safeaccessnow.net/sb420letter.htm, shows the letter from state legislators John Vasconcellos and Mark Leno, authors of SB 420, which established the 6-plant guideline in 2002. They note that, "We have crafted SB 420 as the result of three years of intensive negotiations among all key stakeholders (including patients, providers and physicians)..."
They also say that, "These guidelines are endorsed by several credible knowledgeable supporters of the medical uses of marijuana: Dr. Marcus Conant (well respected HIV/AIDS doctor), Scott Imler (long-time medical marijuana patient advocate and president of the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center), Marsha Rosenbaum (medical sociologist and director of the San Francisco office of Drug Policy Alliance), and Jerry Uelman (Professor of Law at Santa Clara University and medical marijuana defense attorney)."
Most important of all, they note that the adopted state limit of 6 mature plants or 12 immature plants and a half-pound of dried marijuana isn't inflexible, but rather allows any patient to have more if a physician recommends that they need it.
They conclude by saying SB 420, "Provides broad protection to tens of thousands of ill Californians without jeopardizing any ill Californians."
As the election approaches, voters should beware of last-minute misinformation from the opponents to Measure B.
The SB 420 guidelines were carefully developed to account for the medical needs of patients. In contrast, Richard Johnson, the principle author of Measure G has described the 25-plant limit of Measure G as being, "Entirely arbitrary. We were going for the maximum." It is the 25-plant limit that has no scientific or medical basis.
We have a crisis from the impacts of commercial marijuana. Measure B will help us deal with this crisis by getting us back in line with the rules that govern in the vast majority of California counties instead of making Mendocino County a magnet for commercial growers.
Ross Liberty
Ukiah
Editor's note: Ross Liberty is the spokesman for the Yes on B Coalition.
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