Supreme Court decision doesn’t stop medical pot bill

Friday, May 18, 2001 | 9:45 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Confident that both funding and legal questions will pose no problem, the Assembly Ways and Means Committee on Thursday passed a bill authorizing medical marijuana.

The Legislative Counsel Bureau issued an opinion that the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on federal drug possession law would not impair the state's ability to enact a medical marijuana program.

"Notably, the Supreme Court did not address the propriety or legality of the decision of a state to exempt persons from the state's prosecution for the medical use of marijuana," the opinion reads.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, who sponsored the measure, said she was pleased the bill is now closer to passage.

"I am gratified that my colleagues understand that our mandate from the people of Nevada remains unchanged by the recent Supreme Court decision," Giunchigliani said.

Voters twice approved a constitutional amendment allowing medicinal marijuana use by qualified persons.

The Ways and Means Committee amended the bill to include a provision that grants and donations may be accepted to establish the program.

The bill was originally sent to Ways and Means because of concerns the state did not have the start-up money to fund the program. When that occurred a number of citizens offered financial support, including movie producer and frequent political candidate Aaron Russo, who pledged $30,000.

Assembly Bill 453 is now referred to the Assembly floor for a vote. If it passes the full Assembly, it will be referred to the Senate for consideration.

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