Washington State Marijuana for Medical Use Resolution
Marijuana for Medical Use Resolution
(Full Text of Proposed Resolution)
The following is the full text of the resolution that was
proposed to the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Marijuana for Medical Use Resolution
The people of the City of Bainbridge Island (B.I.) do
ordain as follows:
SECTION 1 TITLE:
The title of this resolution shall
be: The City of Bainbridge Island Medical Marijuana
Resolution.
SECTION 2 PURPOSE:
The purposes of this
resolution are:
(1) To express the compassion of the people of B.I.
for the medically challenged in our community whose
sufferings would be alleviated by the use of medical
marijuana.
(2) To express the strong support of the people of
B.I. for the restoration of Cannabis/Marijuana medical
preparations to the list of available medicines which can be
prescribed by licensed physicians.
(3) To direct the elected officials of B.I. to take
whatever actions may be within their power to support the
availability of Cannabis/Marijuana for medical use.
SECTION 3 DEFINITIONS:
For the purposes of
this resolution, Cannabis/Marijuana medical preparations
shall mean: all products made from cannabis or marijuana,
in any form intended or used for human consumption, for the
treatment of any disease; the relief of pain; or as an adjunct to
any medical procedure for the treatment of Cancer,
Glaucoma, or AIDS; or for any other medical or healing
purpose defined within the bounds of the doctor/patient
relationship.
SECTION 4 FINDINGS:
The people of B.I. make
the following findings:
- SAFE AND EFFECTIVE MEDICINE.
Scientific and medical studies by the National
Academy of Science have shown Cannabis/Marijuana to be a
safe and effective medicine with very low toxicity compared
to most prescription drugs. It has been shown to be effective
in the treatment of glaucoma; epilepsy; muscle spasticity;
arthritis; the nausea, vomiting and appetite loss associated
with chemotherapy's; anxiety and depression; and the
symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol and narcotics.
- DOCTORS AND PATIENTS NEED THE
CANNABIS/MARIJUANA OPTION.
Studies show that
one-third of all cancer patients discontinue potentially life-
saving chemotherapy due to the severe and debilitating side
effects. The same is true for many AIDS patients receiving
AZT or other similar therapies. Most physicians surveyed
said that they would prescribe Cannabis/Marijuana if legally
available. Half of all cancer specialists surveyed said that
they have already encouraged at least one of their patients to
break the law and use Cannabis/Marijuana to ease the violent
nausea and vomiting associated with their current treatments.
- UNITED NATIONS APPROVES
PRESCRIPTION MARIJUANA.
In May of 1991, the
United Nations Narcotic Control Board voted
overwhelmingly to reclassify Cannabis/Marijuana, placing it
back on Schedule II, and making it available by prescription.
The United States Representative to this Board voted in favor
of rescheduling.
- FEDERAL COURT ORDERS
PRESCRIPTION MARIJUANA.
Despite a federal court
order recognizing the "clearly established medical value" of
Cannabis/Marijuana, and mandating that it be reclassified to
Schedule II and available by prescription, the federal
government continues to deny access to this safe and effective
medicine.
- POLITICS BEFORE PATIENTS.
By its own
admission, the federal government continues to deny access to
Cannabis/Marijuana for political rather than medical reasons.
Using patients as pawns in the ever escalating war on drugs,
current policies place message before medicine, convenience
before compassion, and politics before patients.
SECTION 5 IMPLEMENTATION:
- Within ninety (90) days of the date of the
passing of this resolution, the Bainbridge Island City Council
(B.I.C.C.) shall transmit the text of this resolution to the
President of the United States, the Governor of the State of
Washington, and the Federal and State Legislative
Representatives of Bainbridge Island and urge them to take
whatever actions that may be in their power to:
- Restore Cannabis/Marijuana preparations
to the list of available medicines which can be prescribed by
licensed physicians.
- Provide for by law and institute such
mechanisms as may be necessary to insure a safe and
affordable supply of Cannabis/Marijuana for medical use.
- The B.I.C.C. shall request the Police
Department and the City Attorney to adhere to the spirit of
this resolution in setting their priorities and to exercise
whatever discretionary powers they may possess to minimize
the negative impacts of current Cannabis/Marijuana
restrictions, where medical use is apparent.
- The B.I.C.C. shall direct the Bremerton-Kitsap
County Health District to monitor developments in the field
of Cannabis/Marijuana medicine, including research projects,
trial studies, or current governmental programs and to make
available, upon request by any doctor or patient, accurate and
timely information regarding the efficacy of
Cannabis/Marijuana for various medical conditions.
SECTION 6 SEVERABILITY:
If any of these
provisions are held to be invalid, all remaining portions of this
resolution shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 7 EFFECTIVE DATE:
This resolution shall
take effect as provided by law.
From: Tom Rohan (trohan@eskimo.com)
Date: Fri, 2 Sep 1994 10:10:41 GMT
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