RECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA DEFEATED, MEDICAL USE MEASURE LEADING

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregonians on Tuesday strongly rejected a measure to
restore jail time for small amounts of marijuana and appeared ready to
legalize pot as a medicine for serious illnesses.

With 14 percent of precincts reporting, Measure 57 was defeated 67 percent
to 33 percent, and Measure 67 was leading 54 percent to 46 precent.

Oregon is one of a handful of states across the country voting to allow
people with terminal and debilitating illnesses to grow and use marijuana
with a doctor's prescription to ease their symptoms.

``For our youth, it's the perfect message that drugs have their purpose,''
said Stormy Ray, who smokes marijuana to control the symptoms of multiple
sclerosis.

``Oregon voters appear to be choosing compassion,'' said Dr. Rick Bayer,
one of the chief backers of medical marijuana. ``It appears that a majority
of Oregonians recognize that dying and suffering patients should not be
arrested for using medical marijuana under their doctor's supervision.''

Those campaigning to legalize the medical use of marijuana were the primary
opponents of Measure 57. They raised $636,000 to pass Measure 67 and defeat
Measure 57.

An array of law enforcement backers raised less than $300,000 to defeat
medical marijuana and pass the restoration of criminal penalties.

``Without money to get our message out there, voters voted with their
hearts and not the facts,'' said Jennifer Hudson of Oregonians Against
Dangerous Drugs. ``That's why we feel they will regret it when the
implications of this measure become apparent to them.''

Hudson said if the medical marijuana measure passed, she hoped the
Legislature would amend it to keep pot away from children, force
distribution to go through pharmacies and limit the amount people can
possess.