Doctors Group Backs Bill to Research Medical Pot Use

SACRAMENTO — The California Medical Assn. is throwing its weight behind a legislative effort to finance $6 million in research on the therapeutic uses of marijuana and design a distribution system for patients who may need the drug.

The announcement is planned for a news conference at the Capitol this morning. The state’s biggest doctors group last year opposed Proposition 215, the medical marijuana measure approved by California voters in November.

Backers of the bill by state Sen. John Vasconcellos (D-Santa Clara) said the group’s support should improve its chances and could help sway Gov. Pete Wilson. The governor has twice in recent years vetoed legislation that would legalize the medical use of marijuana, prompting advocates of the drug to sponsor Proposition 215.

“We believe if the base of support for the bill is broad, the governor will recognize that this is not a fringe issue,” said Rand Martin, Vasconcellos’ chief of staff. “This is a mainstream issue. This is a good-for-Californians issue.”

But a spokesman for Wilson said it remains doubtful that the governor will change his mind.

“We’re very skeptical that any bill on the use of medicinal marijuana would be acceptable, given that doctors can prescribe the pill form of marijuana as a substitute for smoking pot,” said Sean Walsh, Wilson’s spokesman. “That is certainly a more manageable way to deal with the issue--and certainly sends a better message to California youth as well.”

Vasconcellos’ bill would create a 12-member task force to design a distribution network making marijuana available to those in need. It would also allocate $2 million annually over the next three years for the University of California to conduct research into the potential therapeutic uses and health risks of pot.

Officials at the medical group, which represents more than 38,000 physicians in the state, said their support was based largely on the need for research. The group has long advocated broad clinical trials to determine if marijuana helps certain patients.

“We are really committed to beginning the appropriate research,” said Steve Thompson, the medical group’s government affairs chief. “Until it’s done, there’s going to be this damnable debate as to its effectiveness.”

Officials at Americans for Medical Rights, which helped push Proposition 215, said the state must take the lead because the federal government is moving too slowly.

“Foot dragging is the rule of the day at the federal level, so we need to give it a spark,” said Dave Fratello, the group’s spokesman. “CMA agrees with us it’s going to take political pressure and state funding to make that happen.”