PROTESTERS RALLY ROUND POT DOCTOR

PORTLAND, Ore. -- About 50 medical marijuana users rallied Monday in
support of an elderly doctor who has signed 40% of approved applications
for medical marijuana and is under investigation by health officials.

The American Civil Liberties Union joined protesters Monday in questioning
the legality of tighter state guidelines for patients who want to use the
drug for certain illnesses, including glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and AIDS.

The new rules were inspired by Dr. Phillip Leveque, a 77-year-old osteopath
who has signed more applications for medical marijuana than any other
doctor under Oregon's 2-year-old medical marijuana law. About 935 medical
marijuana applications approved by the state have been signed by
Leveque--in some cases, after he reviewed faxed medical records and talked
to patients by phone.

"Because he's devoted the rest of his life to help people who need medical
marijuana, he's being targeted. They're holding up 800 applications because
Leveque has put himself out there basically as a patriot," said Pamela
Snowhite-Day, a protester who smokes marijuana to calm her multiple
sclerosis and degenerative spine disease.