Press Release

Watch It Tonight: Medical Marijuana

What’s the latest on patients who need pot? On Friday, May 20, 7 p.m., (TONIGHT) Cable 21, City Inside/Out with C.R. Douglas examines what is happening as the State Legislature and Governor Chris Gregoire clash over medical marijuana. We discuss the issues with patients, sellers, politicians and advocates.

While medical marijuana has been legal in this state since 1998, it has never been clear how patients should obtain the drug unless they grow it themselves. Recently, the State Legislature passed a new law legalizing pot dispensaries. But Governor Chris Gregoire vetoed that change, saying it would put Washington afoul of federal law. Meanwhile, marijuana dispensaries are sprouting up across Seattle like moss after the rain. What should patients do in order to get their prescribed cannabis? How should the City of Seattle respond to the presence of marijuana “stores” in neighborhoods? Will state officials agree on action to clarify the rights of patients and suppliers in this gray legal area?

We take up the debate about whether pot dispensaries should be legal and what’s next for medical-marijuana patients in light of the recent news out of Olympia. Our guests are Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes, State Rep. Terry Nealey (R-Walla Walla), American Civil Liberties Union of Washington’s Alison Holcomb and Washington Association for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention’s Jim Cooper.

Whether you’re an abolitionist or a prohibitionist, you’ll want to watch City Inside/Out, Friday, May 20, 7:00 p.m., SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21 or www.seattlechannel.org. Did you see our program about housing the poor? Watch it now by visitinghttp://www.seattlechannel.org/CityInsideOut/.