EDITORIAL : FUZZY LAW THE BEL-AIR BUST MIGHT TEST THE SCOPE AND LIMITS OF CALIFORNIA'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW.

THE confiscation of thousands of marijuana plants in a rented Bel-Air mansion and the arrest of an outspoken proponent of Proposition 215 is the trigger this state needs to thoroughly test this vague law.

When voters approved the measure in November allowing medical uses of marijuana, they acted out of the kindness of their hearts. A large amount of anecdotal experience and medical opinion suggests marijuana helps treat such things as nausea, which often accompanies cancer chemotherapy, relieves internal eye pressure in glaucoma and combats severe weight loss associated with AIDS.

As law, however, the measure is seriously flawed. It creates an absurd system that forces every law enforcement agency in each county throughout the state to figure out their own set of rules.

For parents and teachers concerned with the alarming rise in drug use among teens, the measure raises too many questions and leaves too many loopholes that certainly weren't intended by voters.

Proposition 215 allows anyone who is designated as a ``primary care-giver'' to possess and cultivate marijuana for a patient (or patients) on the strength of a written or oral recommendation of a doctor. No prescriptions, licenses, permits or security are required.

But the measure also states it shall not be construed to supersede prohibitions of conduct endangering others or condone the diversion of marijuana for nonmedical purposes.

Further complicating the issue is the collision with federal law, which prohibits a person from possessing or distributing marijuana.

Also, the California Medical Association has not endorsed marijuana use for medical purposes, saying there is insufficient scientific evidence that the drug is effective and safe.

Why, then, is the Bel-Air mansion bust the perfect test case?

Sheriff's deputies arrested Todd McCormick, 27, a cancer patient, founder of a San Diego cannabis club and an active member of the successful Proposition 215 campaign. A friend said McCormick was cultivating the pot to give to cancer sufferers like himself to ease their pain.

If that is true, that he was conducting an extensive and elaborate cultivating process, breeding strains for medical research, and is a care-giver and patient, then the law should be fully and properly tested in federal court.

That he was found with more than 4,000 plants appeared to be excessive to Sheriff Sherman Block and many other reasonable people. But the law does not specify how many plants care-givers can grow.

That McCormick's attorney just happens to be Alan Isaacman, who is famous for prevailing in pornography cases brought against Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt, certainly sets the stage for great theatrics as well as interesting debate.

The people of California deserve to have the haze cleared from this law.