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Where Do We Go From Here? by Carol Miller

Following the October 12th hearing in the Supervisors chambers, California medical marijuana supporters, were both elated over the symbolic support of County officials and aware that the next step forward had to be a change in the State laws which would satisfy law enforcement's need to keep this all legal. Dennis Peron asked Sherriff Mark Ihde if he would come with us to Sacramento to lobby for the addition of the four worlds "except for medical use" to California's health & safety codes, and Ihde replied "After the November election," referring to his work to support the propositions which would raise more funds for his department.

Peron is currently lobbying legislators to support the four word change to all codes which prohibit the use or cultivation of marijuana. This change at the State level would not effect sale, which is governed by federal and international law, as well, nor would it allow actual prescription by a physician, because marijuana has still not been rescheduled for prescriptive use. We plan to lobby our Assemblyman Dan Hauser and our new State Senators to co-sponsor this proposal in Sacramento early in the new year.

Prescriptive access, in the medical sense is many years away. Even if the Clinton Administration reschedules Cannabis, it cannot be prescribed until it is researched and approved. The average time for an NDA (New Drug Application) to pass the FDA is 3 years and costs 200 million dollars. Dr. Lester Grinspoon, associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and author of MARIJUANA THE FORBIDDEN MEDICINE says, "Marijuana will probably never be approved by this process. One reason is that it cannot be patented."

Besides the consideration of rescheduling marijuana there are a few other efforts at the Federal level which could offer relief . Congressman Don Edwards, (D-San Jose) has proposed a bill, H.R. 3100 to establish a national commission to re-examine and recommend a new, comprehensive drug policy. Edwards explained the motivation for his bill, "In just over a decade, we've seen an almost ten-fold increase in the amount of federal funds devoted to stemming this tide of drug abuse... the result has been ruined lives, devastated communities and over-crowded prisons. Now it is time to focus on policies that will work. " Also, a "Sentencing Improvement Act" has been incorporated as an amendment to SB1607, the "Substitute Crime Bill" by Sen. Biden. Senate debate is expected by Thanksgiving and activists are asking Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein to support the bill, which eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent first offenders.

Here in California another Statewide CHI, California Hemp Initiative, has been launched. The initiative, authored by Jack Herer and Chris Conrad, would repeal all laws against industrial, medical and nutritional use. It would permit private possession and cultivation of up to 48 oz of hemp intoxicating products. The signature drive should begin in mid December with a filing deadline of April 22. If you wish to circulate petitions, contact the HEMP office in Van Nuys at 310-392-1806, or call the Northern California office in Santa Cruz at 800-425-HEMP.

One of the most interesting localdevelopments on the industrial front is the progress of an application to the DEA to grow hemp for paper by Humboldt County's John Stahl. Stahl and his Evanescent Press, based in Leggit, have been producing fine handmade hemp paper for several years. The DEA has responded positively and Stahl is working out the details of some pretty stiff requirements, including: fencing, lights, 24 hour armed guard, etc., but is hopeful that a grant to his non-profit organization will cover his outlay to get this going. Good luck, John!!

SCRAP is continuing our focus on developing a medical marijuana access program here in Sonoma County that would be ready to go as soon as legislation is passed in Sacramento. We support the idea of the simple addition of the four words "except for medical use." Some proponents feel the wording needs to be more specific to limit and guarantee specific amounts of herb. I would hate to see the progress of this effort get bogged down in details when so many counties and cities have already acknowledged the need for patients to have legal access to cannabis.

We want to thank the patients who courageously spoke to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Getting herb to these people has got to be a priority for all of us who understand their suffering and the relief that marijuana gives them. If there is someone you can help on a personal level, that is a direct way you can help. In the meantime, write those letters to your representatives calling for an immediate legislative effort to allow patients to relieve their suffering with the use of cannabis.

Please support SCRAP with your donations. The organization of the Supervisors hearing; printing, mailing, phone, & travel expenses for patients, was covered by the SCRAP core, with special thanks to Bruce and Irene. Establishing a medical access program here will require a great deal more work, and we truly need your support . You can send donations to SCRAP, Box 410, Cazadero, CA 95421.

November 1993

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