BILL STANDS CHANCE THIS YEAR

Thanks to Katie Bain for her report on the recent public hearing for
AB-740, ("Medical Marijuana Bill Introduced," Dec. 1).

One point in the article needs clarification. While the article
noted, "Even if the bill is passed by the assembly, the Senate would
not get the opportunity to vote on it during the current session,"
there remains an outside chance it could receive a vote in the full
legislature this session.

Since Republicans control both houses, a Republican state senator
would first need to introduce a companion bill in the Senate. If this
happened fairly soon, there would conceivably be enough time before
late March or so when the session is winding down to pass both houses
this session.

Eighteen of 33 state senators are Republican. Unfortunately, none
have yet shown interest in taking up this issue. Until that happens,
the farthest the bill can possibly go this session is to pass the
Assembly. But, it first must pass the Assembly Health Committee.

While the process has been agonizingly slow, particularly for
patients and their loved ones, the public hearing was a huge step
forward. If the committee does the right thing and passes AB-740, it
will be another huge step forward. The best thing supporters can do
now is write and call Health Committee members and ask GOP state
senators to sponsor a Senate version this session.

Gary Storck

Director of Communications Is My Medicine Legal YET?