MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

By Kelly Browne

. Hello! How may I help you today?

.K.

Oh! En que le puedo ayudar el dia de hoy? Cual es su problema legal? Tiene usted un caso en la Corte Superior del Condado de Sacramento? Cual es el numero de su caso?

Huh? What? What are you doing? Why are you talking like that?

Well, you didnt respond when I asked if I could help you in English, and then you said what in Spanish, so I thought you only spoke Spanish.

Dont you worry bout a thing, baby! Cause Ill be standing here .. .

Iraq, Iran, I speak very, very fluent Spanish!

Really?

Nah, just kidding, man. Seriously, though, I came here because a friend of mine told me you could help me get my chronic back.

What?!

My weed, my smoke, my ganja, my blunt, you know, my pot, man!

Oh. Who took it from you? The 5-0, man. Who?!

You know, the bacon! The cops, the fuzz, the law, the heat, the po-po, the man, man! They tried to bust me for holdinI mean possession but I was too tricksy, yo. They probably smoked it all up themselves! Ha ha ha ha!

I see.

Well, youre certainly entitled to the return of your medicine. If the police department wont return it to you upon request, you may need to file a motion for the return of your property.

Medicine? Oh, yea, my medical marijuana, thats right! Cool!

If you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion. . .

I second that e-motion!

Um, how do I go about gettin one of those motions?

We have information and samples for drafting such a motion here, and theres more on the A-S-A website that stands for Americans for Safe Access, by the way.

Cool! Whats that website ?

Here, Ill circle it for you on this pamphlet we have on Medicinal Marijuana.

http://bit.ly/Return-of-Property

The A-S-As website also has information on your legal rights when dealing with law enforcement, as well as practical tips on using and growing medicinal marijuana, in their California Legal Manual.

http://bit.ly/Return-of-Property

Awesome! Can you tell me more about my rights to use medical marijuana, though? As long as Im here?

Of course! As you know, marijuana is illegal under both California and federal law.

However, under Californias 1996 Compassionate Use Act, Proposition 215, seriously ill people can legally grow, possess, and use marijuana for medical purposes with a doctors recommendation.

Um . . . what do you mean by seriously ill?

Proposition 215 lists cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief. Physicians have recommended marijuana for many other conditions, including insomnia, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and many more.

But you must know this already, because you already have a doctors recommendation.

Oh! I... uh... have... uh... insomnia. Yes, thats it! I have it really bad. I hardly ever sleep.... Especially after some nice glass...

What? Never mind. . . How do most people get a doctors recommendation? I have my own, of course (cough, cough), but Im thinking of switching doctors. . . . .

Well, you could consult a specialist. The specialist should review your existing medical record before making a recommendation.

Can you recommend a specialist? How can I find one?

No, I cannot recommend anyone, but you could probably find one on the Internet or in the phone book. Maybe try the Public Library?

OK, fair enough. Ill head over to the Public Library in a few. If I can ask you another question, though: How much marijuana can I keep on me at any one time?

Individual patients are limited to eight ounces of dried marijuana bud, and six mature or 12 immature marijuana plants.

I can grow my own plants?!?!?

Yes. Patients and caregivers can grow their own marijuana. The limit is 6 mature plants or 12 immature plants per patient. Cities and counties may raise these limits or impose zoning restrictions. You should check your local codes. Your doctor may even recommend a higher quantity, but the police might ignore this exception.

So where can I legally purchase marijuana? Its going to take a while for my plants to grow.

Nonprofit collectives and co-ops can sell marijuana to qualified patients, usually through dispensaries. But you should already know this...

I . . . um . . . well, um . . . Ive been getting my weed from my doctor. But since Im looking for another doctor, can you tell me where I might find one of these dispensaries?

Im not suremaybe the Internet or the Yellow Pages? You could ask when you go to the Public Library.

OK. Are there any other laws I should know about first, though?

Wow, its like 1984 all over again. I knew the government would require us all to get IDs someday! I am not a number! I have a name!

Um, do you think I should get an ID card?

A Medical Marijuana ID card prevents your arrest if you are stopped with a permissible amount of marijuana. It is not required, but police may accept it more easily than a doctors recommendation form.

How can I get a card?

You can apply for a card at your countys Department of Public Health. You can find out more at the California Department of Public Healths Medical Marijuana Program website.

http://bit.ly/Med-Marijuana-Program

Does it cost money?

Sacramento County charges $166 a year. More information is available at the Sacramento Department of Health & Human Services Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program website. http://bit.ly/Sac-ID-CardProgram

How many plants can I grow?

6 mature plants or 12 immature plants.

What was it you said about some cities and counties raising the limits on how much you can grow? Which cities and counties raised their limits?

Many cities and counties regulate dispensaries and the cultivation of marijuana. Any county or city may have its own unique rules. Most are available on the internet.

All California local Marijuana Ordinances are listed on the California NORMAL Local Marijuana Ordinances website. http://bit.ly/Local-CAOrdinances

What about Sacramento?

The City of Sacramento bans outdoor cultivation. Sacramento County bans land uses that are illegal under federal law on unincorporated land.

How many plants can I grow?

6 mature plants or 12 immature plants.

What was it you said about federal law?

Marijuana use, possession, and distribution are illegal under federal law. There is no exception or special treatment for medical use, and California law does not override federal law.

21 U.S.C. 801 et seq

So I could get arrested again? Even if Im holdin legally under California law?

In practice, federal enforcement focuses on trafficking rather than individual patients. Dispensaries and their landlords, banks, and business partners may be at risk from federal investigation, but individual users are very rarely targeted.

So I could get arrested again? Even if Im holdin legally under California law?

In practice, federal enforcement focuses on trafficking rather than individual patients. Dispensaries and their landlords, banks, and business partners may be at risk from federal investigation, but individual users are very rarely targeted. However, some patients have been arrested, and their marijuana confiscated, while camping in federal parks or forests.

Thanks, youve been awesome. But thats a lot of different laws to remember. Can you go over them again?

Sorry, as you can see

I have a line of people waiting to talk to me.

But, you can read more about all of these laws in The Margolin Guide to Marijuana Laws, which is available on the Internet. http://bit.ly/MargolinGuide

Thanks. Just one last question . . . how many plants can I grow?

Sigh

Soup Kitchen: National Archives http://research.archives.gov/description/541927 Music: Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing, Stevie Wonder http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_You_Worry_%27bout_a_Thing

Second that Emotion, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Diana Ross & the Supremes, The Temptations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Second_That_Emotion
Actors: Librarian: Patricia Carmell Patron: Eric Nakano Director Kelly Browne Written by Kelly Browne Based on a pamphlet by Kate Fitz Harold Park, Cinematographer