The purpose of the hearing will be to determine whether Crohn's Disease should be added to the list of terminal and debilitating conditions for which medical marijuana may be beneficial and that are permitted under state law RCW 69.51A.010(4). The hearing is in response to a petition received May 19, 1999.

The commission panel invites written information on the topic to be submitted to the commission's offices no later than Wednesday, September 1, 1999. This information will then be prepared for distribution to the commission panel prior to the September 24th date in order for commission members to review and study the material. All material should be forwarded to the attention of Bonnie King, Executive Director, Medical Quality Assurance Commission, Department of Health, 1300 S.E. Quince Street, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98502-7866.

Information will be received by mail or in person at the commission's offices in Olympia.

Oral testimony will be taken at the September 24th hearing from proponents and opponents of the petition request. The length of oral testimony may be limited. Deliberations will commence the same day. The commission panel will deliberate and reach a recommendation. The recommendation will be forwarded along with a summary of all oral testimony and written information to the full commission for a decision to be announced on Friday, November 5, 1999, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at the Seattle Airport Hilton, 17620 Pacific Highway South, SeaTac, WA 98188. For more information, contact Bonnie King or Beverly Teeter at the Medical Quality Assurance Commission at (360) 236-4789 or (360) 236-4788.