Date: Wed, 13 Sep 1995 18:07:13 -0400
From: [o--s--n] at [calyx.com] (Carl E. Olsen)
Subject: FYI

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL FACES VETO  9/12/95

Reuters

SACRAMENTO -- California's state Legislature passed a controversial measure
Tuesday that would permit people suffering from illnesses such as AIDS and
cancer to legally grow and possess marijuana for medicinal use.

But the measure faced a certain veto by Gov. Pete Wilson, who takes a strong
stance against drugs and who is seeking the Republican presidential
nomination in 1996.

''We know that the governor will veto it,'' said Jesus Arredondo, a Wilson
spokesman. ''The message sent to kids in California is one that we don't
need.''

The state Assembly passed the measure 41-27, the bare majority needed,
Tuesday. The state Senate had previously passed the bill 22-14.

The bill would exempt from prosecution people who grow or possess marijuana
for personal medicinal use. Such medical use would have to be approved in
writing by a physician for the treatment of AIDS, cancer, glaucoma or
multiple sclerosis.

Supporters of the measure say marijuana helps ease the pain of people
suffering from these serious illnesses.

Assemblyman John Vasconcellos, a Democrat who authored the bill, said he
would try to convince Wilson he should sign the measure because of its
benefits to seriously ill people.

Wilson has vetoed similar moves in the past.

MERCURY CENTER CODE: N000   ID: me14268m


Transmitted:  95-09-12 22:24:37 EDT

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