DC Medical Marijuana Bill Moves Forward

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) -- Washington would allow people to have up to 2
ounces of marijuana a month -- enough for about a joint a day -- for
medical use under a bill that moved forward Tuesday.

The bill would not allow patients to grow their own marijuana, but a
committee would study whether to allow so-called "home cultivation" by
patients and caregivers and make a recommendation by 2012. The bill was
approved by two city government committees on Tuesday. It still needs
approval of the full council, an approval that could come as early as
May.

Citizens approved an initiative legalizing medical marijuana in 1998,
but Congress blocked its implementation until December.

Qualifying patients would be allowed to get up to 2 ounces of dried
marijuana a month under the bill, though it allows the mayor to increase
that amount to 2.5 ounces.