The first meeting of the Proposition 215 committee created by the Southern Humboldt Community Healthcare District’s board of governors was held on the evening of January 6 at the Southern Humboldt Community Hospital.

SHCHD board member Darryl Cherney chaired the meeting and reported back to the full board of governors at its regular meeting the following day.

Cherney emphasized to the board that this committee is dedicated to opening a discussion about possibilities for a medical marijuana clinic or dispensary in the community. Discussion does not commit the healthcare district to any course of action.

Eighteen people attended the meeting, including SHCHD board chair Nancy Wilson and administrator Harry Jasper. Others expressed interest but were unable to attend the meeting.

To prepare for the meeting, Cherney consulted with David Frankel, an attorney specializing in Proposition 215 and medical marijuana law and Ben Morris of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C.

A Supreme Court decision in 1997 prevents the federal government, which still does not recognize the legality of medical marijuana although several states including California have legalized it, from prosecuting doctors who recommend medical marijuana.

Cherney’s sources stated that this means the federal government cannot revoke Medicare payments to such doctors. This was a major concern for SHCHD because it serves so many Medicare patients.

Participants at the 215 committee meeting discussed a wide range of topics including benefits of medical marijuana, the logistics of setting up a clinic or dispensary, public relations, staffing, impacts on local economics and culture, and identification of issues that need further research.

The participants determined that the committee officially will have three members: Cherney, Dr. Ken Miller, and women’s healthcare provider Lorraine Carolan. Others attending the meeting agreed to continue to participate without official status.

The participants drafted a mission statement as follows:

”The mission of the 215 Committee is to research and make recommendations to the board of the SHCHD concerning the viability of having a 215 clinic and/or dispensary that is consistent with the district’s core values.”

In reporting to the SHCHD board Cherney emphasized that the purpose of having a 215 clinic or dispensary as part of district services would be to enhance district revenue through providing a service of value to the community.

If the board or administration feel uncomfortable with the ideas proposed by the committee, Cherney continued, the committee would approach another provider or an independent group so as not to lose the work already accomplished.

Jasper reminded Cherney that the district’s medical staff does not support the idea of a 215 clinic or dispensary within the existing clinic because of the large cost and amount of time needed to administer the facility. The district’s providers, however, support recommendation of medical marijuana as an option for treatment when appropriate.

The next meeting of the 215 committee is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Dimmick Room at the hospital.