Kathy Nicholson, with the Wo/Men's Alliance
for Medical Marijuana, who says she suffers
from rheumatoid arthritis, sits with her bag
of marijuana next to bottles of cannabis milk
at City Hall in Santa Cruz, Calif.,
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002.
Calling Santa Cruz a "sanctuary" from federal authorities,
medical marijuana advocates, such as Nicholson,
_ joined by city leaders _ passed out pot to sick
and dying patients from City Hall Tuesday.
(AP Photo/Mike Fiala)
Santa Cruz (Calif.) Mayor Christopher Krohn
attends an event at City Hall in Santa Cruz,
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002, during which
medical marijuana advocates _ joined
by Krohn and other city leaders _ passed out
pot to about a dozen sick and dying patients.
"Santa Cruz is a special place, and today
we're letting the world know how compassionate
we can be," said Krohn.
More than 1,000 community members
jammed into the garden-like courtyard
at City Hall for a supportive demonstration
during the giveaway.
(AP Photo/Mike Fiala)
Jeremy Griffey, with the Wo/Men's Alliance
for Medical Marijuana, who says he suffers
from HIV/AIDS and chronic leukemia, sits
with his bag of marijuana at City Hall
in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002.
Calling Santa Cruz a "sanctuary" from federal
authorities, medical marijuana advocates,
including Griffey, joined by city leaders
_ passed out pot to about a dozen sick
and dying patients from City Hall, Tuesday.
(AP Photo/Mike Fiala)
Robert Anton Wilson, who says he suffers from
post polio syndrome, is wheeled away after
receiving marijuana from Jeremy Griffey, left,
and Kathy Nicholson, second from left, both
with the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana,
at City Hall in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002.
Calling Santa Cruz a "sanctuary" from federal authorities,
medical marijuana advocates _ joined by city leaders
_ passed out pot to about a dozen sick
and dying patients from City Hall Tuesday.
(AP Photo/Mike Fiala)
Elizabeth Velosa shows her support for the distribution
of marijuana at City Hall in Santa Cruz, Calif.,
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002. Calling Santa Cruz
a sanctuary from federal authorities,
medical marijuana advocates, joined
by city leaders, passed out marijuana
to about a dozen sick people at City Hall.
Marijuana is illegal as a medicine or as a
recreational drug under federal law.
But state law, and county and city ordinances,
say it's legal if recommended by a doctor.