San Francisco News Blog

Last month, we reported on a Mark Leno bill introduced simultaneously in the Assembly and Senate -- a "joint resolution." The moniker was especially fitting, however, because the resolution supported medical marijuana users, and called for an end to the federal crackdown on dispensaries.

Well, when state legislators finished up any chuckles about the double-entendre, they went ahead and voted for it. The California Senate Health Committee approved Leno's resolution, 7-3, late Wednesday. It next moves on to the Judiciary Committee -- a date has not yet been set -- and, if successful, the full senate and then the assembly.

As this is a non-binding resolution, Gov. Arnold "Arnold Is Numero Uno" Schwarzenegger's signature is not required.

In addition to calling for the cessation of Drug Enforcement Agency Raids -- such as the one on San Francisco's Emmalyn's California Cannabis Clinic in late March, the resolution (SJR 14) requests the creation of "comprehensive federal policy to ensure safe and legal access to medical marijuana for patients who benefit from its therapeutic use."

Leno was hardly optimistic about the passage of his resolution when he earlier discussed it with SF Weekly: "I don't presume anything. My experience is dealing with medical marijuana is always a challenge. I've often said legislators are behind their voters on this issue."

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