PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles City Council is backing Gov. Chris Gregoire’s request to have marijuana reclassified as a Schedule 2 drug.
The council voted 6-1, with Councilman Dan Di Guilio opposed, this evening to support the position, intended to recognize the medical benefits of the drug at the federal level.
The federal government lists marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, which means it is considered to have no medical value.
Heroin is also in that category.
Councilman Max Mania called it a “sensible move.”
“I think it’s something that is going to happen sooner or later,” he said.
“I would love it if we were part of the sooner rather than the later.”
Di Guilio said he sympathizes with cancer patients who use marijuana as a pain reliever but voted no because he considers the move to be a “slippery slope.”
“To take a drastic step at this moment is not appropriate,” he said.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.