HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-110WHEREAS, Proposition 2i5 would legalize the use, possession and cultivation of
marijuana for very loosely defined medical purposes, including stress, headaches, upset
stomach or insomnia; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 215 does not require a written prescription. Anyone with the
"oral recommendation or approval by a physician" can grow, possess or smoke marijuana.
Not medical examianation is required; and
WHEREAS, there is no age restriction. Even children can be legally permitted to
grow, possess and use marijuana without parental consent; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 215 will make it legal far people to smoke marijuana in the
workplace or in public places even next to children; and
WHEREAS, consumers are protected from unsafe and impure drugs by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA). Proposition 215 makes marijuana available to the public without
FDA approval or regulation. Quality, purity and strength of the drug would be unregulated.
There are no rules restricting the amount a person can smoke or haw often they can smoke it;
and
WHEREAS, the US Court of Appeals in 1994 affirmed scientific f ndings of DEA,
FDA, US Public Health Service and ruled that marijuana remain in Schedule I: addictive, to
be prescribed as medicine, and not safe or effective for human use; and
WHEREAS, marijuana is an addictive drug which harms mental functions such as
memory and learning, damages the lungs, harms the immune system, causes cancers, and
makes diseases such as tuberculosis, asthma and multiple sclerosis warse, does not prevent
blindness due to glaucoma; and
WHEREAS, we strongly support scientific research on all drugs, including marijuana,
which has led to the availability of the FDA approved prescription drug "Marinol" which has
been found safe and effective for treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and the AIDS
Wasting Syndrome; and
RESOLUTION OPPOSING PROPOSITION 2i5
The "Medical Marijuana Initiative"
WHEREAS, the following organizations have stated that marijuana has not been
shown scientifically to be safe or effective as medicine: the American Medical Association,
American Cancer Society, National Multiple Sclerosis Association, American Academy of
Ophthalmology, National Eye Institute, National Cancer Institute, National Institute for
Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Dental Research and the National
Institute on Allergy and Infectious Diseases; and
WHEREAS, the California State Sheriffs Association, California District Attorneys
Association, Califarxua Police Chiefs Association, California Narcotic Officers Association,
California Peace Officers Association and Attorney General Dan Lungren say that Proposition
215 will provide new legal loopholes for drug dealers to avoid arrest and prosecution; and
WHEREAS, Partnership far aDrug-Free America, Californians fox Drug-Free Youth,
D.A.R.E. America, Drug Use is Life Abuse, Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America and
Drug Watch International say that Proposition 2l S will damage their efforts to convince
young people to remain drug free. It sends out children the false message that marijuana is
safe and healthy; and
WHEREAS, it is neither rational nor compassionate to provide a harmfizl, addictive
drug with no scientifically proven medicinal efficacy;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Butte County Board of Supervisors
opposes Proposition 215.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Butte this
24th day of September, 1996, by the following vote.
AYES: Supervisors Meyer, Dolan, Houx, Thomas and Chair McT~aughlin
NOES: bone
NOT VOTING: None
ABSENT: None
C
Ed McLaughlin, Cha' Butte County
Board of Supervisors
ATTEST:
john S. Blacklock, Chief Administrative Officer
and Clerk of the Board Supervisors
By: