NO ON LOOSER MARIJUANA LAW

Measure 33, to Authorize a System of Legal Marijuana Growers, Would
Harvest a Bushel of Problems in Oregon

Before Oregon voters decided to legalize medical use of marijuana six
years ago, we questioned the wisdom of approving the use of a
substance that was illegal to grow and possess in the first place.

In this year's Measure 33, supporters of medical marijuana have come
up with a novel solution to this poisoned-branch argument: They would
create a poisoned forest.

Supporters of the measure are, with at least one important exception,
the same folks who successfully argued that marijuana ought to be a
legal alternative treatment for ailments such as glaucoma, nausea and
chronic pain. Since the law passed, more than 10,000 people have been
given status as legal users of medical marijuana. More than 8,000 more
are seeking that status, or certification to become "caregivers" with
the right to possess the drug.

Whether all of those people actually need that legal access probably
is the first question raised by the current law, since two-thirds of
the prescriptions for medical marijuana were written by just three
doctors. Regardless, the proponents of Measure 33 believe marijuana
patients are harmed by restrictions intended to keep legal marijuana
from sprouting over into the world of illegal growing, sales and possession.

Now, they say, the state should condone, and in some cases create, a
system of dispensaries where growers can cultivate crops and sell
marijuana to registered patients or caregivers. Patients, they also
argue, should be allowed to possess up to 6 pounds of marijuana. For
comparison, one baggie holds about an ounce.

If this sounds odd to you, you're beginning to see the problem that
Stormy Ray, one of medical marijuana's original advocates in Oregon,
sees.

In a recent e-mail on Measure 33, Ray pointed out that it does not
limit how much dispensaries can grow, allows criminals to operate a
dispensary, does not limit the number of growing sites for each
dispensary and does not limit the number of employees or agents for
each dispensary.

"With little or no oversight and no limits on production, our program
would become a magnet for abuse," Ray wrote.

There are many other problems with the measure, but Ray's argument
shows exactly why Measure 33 is opposed by law-enforcement agencies,
district attorneys and organizations that fight drug abuse in Oregon.
Federal drug-enforcement authorities believe Measure 33 would make
Oregon a magnet for interstate drug traffickers as well.

The Oregon Medical Association opposes the measure because it sees
little scientific evidence that medical marijuana has therapeutic
value. And the Oregon Libertarian Party opposes it because it thinks
the real argument is, and should be, about legalizing marijuana.

Measure 33 would grow a forest of problems for law enforcement and for
anyone else -- parents, for example -- who think it's a bad idea for
the state to plant a literal forest of marijuana impossible to track
or regulate.

Just say no to Measure 33.