In Clark County, there's no official program that gives patientsmarijuana for medical reasons, but local police have been allowingpossession of limited amounts as spelled out by state law.
'People are entirely on their own to find out what the rules areand get authorization from their doctor,' said David Heal, regionalAIDS Network coordinator with the Clark County Health Department.
Washington law, RCW 69.51A, allows some patients to possessmarijuana with their physician's authorization if they suffer fromdebilitating illnesses such as cancer while undergoing chemotherapy,AIDS wasting syndrome, glaucoma or severe muscle spasms frommultiple sclerosis.
That law protects the patients, their caregivers and physiciansfrom liability and prosecution. It allows up to a 60-day supply ofmarijuana.
In Vancouver, police guidelines allow qualified patients topossess up to nine plants for their personal use: three smallstarter plants less than four inches high, three juvenile plantsfrom 4 inches high to full grown, and three mature plants withflowers or buds, said spokeswoman Kim Kapp. The patients also canhave up to three ounces of harvested marijuana, she said.
Some physicians in Washington use authorization forms provided bythe Green Cross Patient Cooperative of Seattle, said David King, aconsumer-affairs volunteer with the mental health division of thestate Department of Social and Health Services.
Those forms can be printed off the Green Cross Web site,www.hemp.net/greencross.
It's not clear what effect the U.S. Supreme Court ruling willhave on Washington state law.
Any physician who authorizes medical use of marijuana should'investigate his or her legal situation' said Portland attorneyPaula Barran, who is familiar with Monday's Supreme Court decision.'This opinion is very strong.'
John Branton covers crime and law enforcement for The Columbian.He can be reached at 360-759-8012 or john.branton@columbian.com.
