Written by MMA Administrator
11362.5, the Compassionate Use Act states in part:

" (e) For the purposes of this section, "primary caregiver" means the individual designated by the person exempted under this section who has consistently assumed responsibility for the housing, health, or safety of that person."

Ed note: emphasis on 'or' added for clarity. This is not a mistake. The authors clearly allow for the reasonable conclusion that it is unsafe for sick people to obtain their medicine through illegal channels. SB 420 further clarifies the issue.

UPDATE 11/24/2008

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA

THE PEOPLE, )
)
Plaintiff and Respondent, )
) S148204
v. )
) Ct.App. 6 H028783
ROGER WILLIAM MENTCH, )
) Santa Cruz County
Defendant and Appellant. ) Super. Ct. No. 07429
___________________________________)

The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Act) (Health & Saf. Code, § 11362.5,
added by voter initiative, Prop. 215, Gen. Elec. (Nov. 5, 1996)) provides partial
immunity for the possession and cultivation of marijuana to two groups of people:
qualified medical marijuana patients and their primary caregivers. We consider
here who may qualify as a primary caregiver. We hold that a defendant whose
caregiving consisted principally of supplying marijuana and instructing on its use,
and who otherwise only sporadically took some patients to medical appointments,
cannot qualify as a primary caregiver under the Act and was not entitled to an
instruction on the primary caregiver affirmative defense. We further conclude that
nothing in the Legislature’s subsequent 2003 Medical Marijuana Program (Health
& Saf. Code, § 11362.7 et seq.) alters this conclusion or offers any additional
defense on this record. Accordingly, we reverse the Court of Appeal.
Full document here: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/documents/S148204.PDF

Written by Tim Castleman

For early detection within days of the summer solstice, female cannabis plants will have pairs of white hairs emerging at the main stalk joints while males will have round looking pre-flowers in the same area but spread a bit further apart. Females will usually be shorter and more bushy while males will be tall and have fewer branches with more space in between. Click to enlarge image in a pop-up window. More images below.
Read more...

Written by MMA Administrator
Yes. On July 18, 2005, the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) resumed implementation of the Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) and the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients and their designated primary caregivers.

In 1996, the voters of California passed Proposition 215, also known as the Compassionate Use Act. Within California, the Act allows for the recommendation by a physician for the medical use of marijuana by a patient, and the cultivation, transportation and use of marijuana for medical purposes by patients and caregivers. The Compassionate Use Act exempts patients, caregivers and physicians who recommend the use of marijuana for medical purposes from criminal laws, punishment, or the denial of any rights or privileges. To address uncertainties and clarify the scope of the Act for patients, caregivers, law enforcement and others, Senate Bill (SB) 420 (Chapter 875, Statutes of 2003) was written into law in December of 2003 (see California Health and Safety Code, Article 2.5, Sections 11362.7 through 11362.83). The MMP, within the CDHS, was established in 2004 to facilitate the registration of qualified patients and their caregivers, through a statewide identification system. Participation in the program is voluntary for patients and the patient’s primary caregiver. Through their county of residence, qualified patients and their caregivers may apply for and be issued an identification card. This card will be used to verify those patients and caregivers that have authorization to possess, grow, transport and/or use medical marijuana in California. To facilitate the verification of authorized cardholders, a registration database is available on the Internet: www.calmmp.ca.gov. The costs of the Program are fee supported. Both the state and counties have authority to cover their expenses through application fees. For further information on the Medical Marijuana Program, visit http://www.dhs.ca.gov/mmp/ or e-mail: mmpinfo@dhs.ca.gov , or you may write to us at:

California Department of Health Services

Office of County Health Services

Attention: Medical Marijuana Program Unit

MS 5203

P.O. Box 997413

Sacramento, CA 95899-7413

Written by MMA Administrator
A popular way to make cannabis edibles is to use butter or olive oil as a substrate to capture the THC. One method is to combine equal amounts of butter or oil, water and ground up dry cannabis in a large pot. The mixture is stirred and heated for an extended period, then cheesecloth is used to strain the water-oil mixture from the raw cannabis. The THC is released from the raw cannabis and absorbed by the oil which upon cooling separates from the water and can then be used in any recipe that doesn't require high heat.

Written by MMA Administrator
11362.5.  (a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.

   (b) (1) The people of the State of California hereby find and declare that the purposes of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 are as follows:

   (A) To ensure that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where that medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined that the person's health would benefit from the use of marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain,

spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief.

   (B) To ensure that patients and their primary caregivers who obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes upon the recommendation of a physician are not subject to criminal prosecution or sanction.

   (C) To encourage the federal and state governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and affordable distribution of marijuana to all patients in medical need of marijuana.

   (2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede legislation prohibiting persons from engaging in conduct that endangers others, nor to condone the diversion of marijuana for nonmedical purposes.

   (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no physician in this state shall be punished, or denied any right or privilege, for having recommended marijuana to a patient for medical purposes.

   (d) Section 11357, relating to the possession of marijuana, and Section 11358, relating to the cultivation of marijuana, shall not apply to a patient, or to a patient's primary caregiver, who possesses or cultivates marijuana for the personal medical purposes of the patient upon the written or oral recommendation or approval of
a physician.

   (e) For the purposes of this section, "primary caregiver" means the individual designated by the person exempted under this section who has consistently assumed responsibility for the housing, health, or safety of that person.

SB 420 amended the law as follows:

11362.77.  (a) A qualified patient or primary caregiver may possess no more than eight ounces of dried marijuana per qualified patient. In addition, a qualified patient or primary caregiver may also maintain no more than six mature or 12 immature marijuana plants per qualified patient.

   (b) If a qualified patient or primary caregiver has a doctor's recommendation that this quantity does not meet the qualified patient's medical needs, the qualified patient or primary caregiver may possess an amount of marijuana consistent with the patient's needs.

   (c) Counties and cities may retain or enact medical marijuana guidelines allowing qualified patients or primary caregivers to exceed the state limits set forth in subdivision (a).

   (d) Only the dried mature processed flowers of female cannabis plant or the plant conversion shall be considered when determining allowable quantities of marijuana under this section.

   (e) The Attorney General may recommend modifications to the possession or cultivation limits set forth in this section.  These recommendations, if any, shall be made to the Legislature no later than December 1, 2005, and may be made only after public comment and consultation with interested organizations, including, but not limited to, patients, health care professionals, researchers, law enforcement, and local governments.  Any recommended modification shall be consistent with the intent of this article and shall be based on currently available scientific research.

   (f) A qualified patient or a person holding a valid identification card, or the designated primary caregiver of that qualified patient or person, may possess amounts of marijuana consistent with this article.

Written by MMA Administrator
Cannabis is mature and ready for harvest when the trichomes change from clear to milky and amber. Many growers harvest when the percentage of amber trichomes is around 10% to 30%. There is some evidence that this percentage of amber to clear/milky relates to the potency and effect when consumed, for example more amber results in a couch-lock body stone while clear/milky results in a more of a head high.

To see the trichomes requires a microscope. Drop by your local Radio Shack and ask for this lighted 60-100x magnifier. They sell it for under $20 and it will be useful year round for a number of garden tasks.