GOP Congressman's Son, Cancer-Stricken Daughter Speak Out For Medical Pot

Silence fell over City Hall Wednesday evening as 24-year-old Briana Bilbray told the Imperial Beach City Council about her struggles with the Stage 3 melanoma that had spread into her lymph nodes.

Her father Brian Bilbray was the mayor of Imperial Beach from 1978 to 1985 and currently represents north San Diego's 50th Congressional District. Her brother, also named Brian Bilbray, is a councilman.

Despite her difficult testimony, the council, except for Brian Bilbray, ultimately approved language that labeled medical marijuana distribution facilities “prohibited uses in all zoning districts in the city of Imperial Beach.”

Before the vote, Briana Bilbray said she was in the last stages of chemotherapy and was disappointed in comments made by Councilman Ed Spriggs about medical marijuana dispensaries in Imperial Beach.

"I read in an article a quote from Spriggs saying that chemo patients don't have to go that far to get the medicine they need," she said. "Reading that comment, I can tell Mr. Spriggs really doesn't understand chemo at all."

She said the words nausea and fatigue are "really pretty words" compared to the actuality.

"Tired is an understatement from what you feel, Mr. Spriggs," she said. "You feel like you just want to die. I didn't even want to breathe I was so tired."

Her brother, Brian Bilbray, who serves as the council's mayor pro tem, reiterated his support of allowing medicinal marijuana in Imperial Beach, which has left him at odds with the rest of the council.

He called their stance irresponsible and said if the city will not provide a dispensary, it should model Chula Vista, allowing collectives and cooperatives in the city.

"But something we all need to think about is that it is not our jobs to sit up here and say who and who does not need medical marijuana," he said.

Briana Bilbray brought about $200 worth of nausea medicines with her and said they “not worth a lick” and useless for her condition.

In contrast, she said one dose of medical marijuana relieves her suffering for an entire day. Banning dispensaries does not punish the abuser, but the patient in need, she said.

“You have no idea. It is like the difference between night and day for chemo patients,” she said. “Not only are you infringing on my right as a California resident to obtain the medicine I need, but you are punishing me by making it more difficult to get the one thing I really need.”

Spriggs said if medical marijuana distribution evolved into a business that only legitimate patients used, the council would have a completely different view.

"I have no ax to grind for anybody that really needs it," he said. "But we have this huge abuse situation, demonstrated in many communities. There is no reason to think that we would be immune for some strange reason from the abuses that have taken place elsewhere."

Marcus Boyd, vice chairman for the San Diego Chapter of Americans for Safe Access, said four cancer patients came to his office since the last council meeting June 15 and every one of them made him cry.

He said he was disappointed with the "perversion of the political process" over two years on this issue. The council, he added, has "trampled the rights of those that are injured, sick and dying."

Council member Lorie Bragg said it was unfair to say the council had not done due diligence.

"We have all done outreach across the board to many members of the community," she said. "When we vote on something, it is because we have talked to many people. And our vote reflects what the majority of the people want us to do."

Boyd said the council might think it is putting this issue to rest but assured members that the issue will stay "front and center" in the 2012 elections.