DC Council wants expanded medical marijuana access

WASHINGTON (AP) — The D.C. Council wants doctors to be able to prescribe medical marijuana to any patient they think would benefit from it.

Currently, medical marijuana can only be prescribed in the District of Columbia to people suffering from a short list of conditions, including AIDS.

The Washington Post (http://tinyurl.com/m7h2gzw ) reports that all 13 councilmembers have pledged to support a bill that would eliminate that list and leave decisions about medical marijuana up to doctors.

Medical marijuana has been available in the District since last year, but just 400 patients have been approved for its use. Councilmember Yvette Alexander, who chairs the council’s health committee, says the program needs to be expanded to benefit more residents.

Earlier this year, the council decriminalized possession of small amounts of pot.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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