Video High
Proponents of medical marijuana were dealt a major blow Tuesday when
District Attorney Ed Jagels recommended banning it across the county.
State law says it's okay to smoke marijuana if your doctor recommends
it. But federal law says it's illegal no matter what.
It's that conflict that prompted the County Board of Supervisors to
ask Jagels to look into the issue. His report came as a disappointment
to the hundreds, if not thousands, of medical marijuana users in Kern
County.
Jagels recommended repealing the ordinance that gives the sheriff's
department authority to issue licenses to sell medical marijuana.
He also recommended enacting and ordinance that would prohibit any
actions that are illegal under federal law, which would include
smoking marijuana, even for medical reasons.
"The storefront marijuana dispensary that half the state seems to
think is legal in the state is, in fact, illegal," said Jagels.
If passed, Jagels' recommendation would make it impossible for
patients to legally obtain marijuana.
"I'd be reduced to the streets," said Chris Helton, who started using
marijuana 4 years ago to relieve severe headaches caused by a head
injury he suffered working on and oil rig.
"I could try to grow my own, but I haven't been successful. I've been
ripped off."
Story Created: Oct 9, 2007 at 8:11 PM CDT
Story Updated: Oct 9, 2007 at 8:11 PM CDT
