Bill Would Let Doctors Write Prescriptions for Marijuana

Marijuana could be prescribed by doctors for legitimate medical purposes under legislation that has been narrowly passed by the Senate.

A 21-14 vote, the exact margin required for approval, sent the bill (SB 1364) by Sen. Milton Marks (D-San Francisco) to the Assembly.

The measure is necessary for patients who suffer from debilitating illnesses such as AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, according to the Northern California lawmaker.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

* Female Employees: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 42-30 vote a bill (AB 3672) by Assemblywoman Diane Martinez (D-Monterey Park) to prohibit employers from refusing to permit female employees to wear slacks to work by requiring them to wear dresses or skirts.

* Rape Cases: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 67-0 vote a bill (AB 83X), also by Assemblywoman Martinez, that says that a rape victim’s mode of dress, such as a miniskirt or a low-cut blouse, cannot be used in court as evidence of encouraging the act.

* Ticket Brokers: Passed and sent to the Senate on a 44-27 vote a bill (AB 2513) by Assemblywoman Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey) to increase penalties for ticket brokers who fail to deliver tickets to customers at previously agreed upon prices for events such as the Rose Bowl football game and rock concerts.

Committee Action

* Price Gouging: The Ways and Means Committee approved a bill (AB 36X) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to make it a misdemeanor for merchants to raise prices more than 10% on critical goods and services after a state of emergency declaration such as the one caused by the recent Northridge earthquake. A 15-6 vote sent the bill to the Assembly floor.

SENATE

Floor Action

* Automobile Theft: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 27-5 vote a bill (SB 1743) by President Pro Tem Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) to create a new statewide automobile anti-theft prevention and investigation program financed by requiring auto insurance companies to pay a 20-cent annual fee for each vehicle that they insure.

* Illegal Aliens: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 22-12 vote a bill (SB 1535) by Sen. Newton Russell (R-Glendale) to allow state licensing boards to suspend or revoke business licenses of employers who have been found guilty at least twice of violating federal laws prohibiting the hiring of illegal aliens.

* Homeowners Insurance: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 22-9 vote a bill (SB 1355) by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) to establish a “homeowners bill of rights” designed to offer increased protection to homeowner policyholders, including state licensing and regulation of insurance claims adjusters.

* Tobacco Products: Rejected on a 20-16 vote a bill (SB 1271) by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) to eliminate a multimillion-dollar tax loophole that lets tobacco companies write off product advertising and promotional expenses. Reconsideration requested.

* More Tobacco Products: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 32-1 vote a bill (SB 2021) by Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) to require the Department of Health Services to develop a program to reduce easy access to cigarettes and chewing tobacco for those under age 18.

* Infertility Insurance: Rejected on a 20-14 vote a bill (SB 1780) by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) to require insurance companies to provide infertility treatment coverage as part of their basic health plans. Reconsideration requested.

* Public Utilities Commission: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 28-6 vote a bill (SB 1956) by Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles) to require the Public Utilities Commission to hold open meetings and allow the public to address the PUC on any item at those meetings.