NO. 8 ABOUT COMPASSION, NOT PERMISSIVENESS

Ballot Measure No. 8 would allow patients to use marijuana as a medicine
only if they have a debilitating disease and an authorization from their
doctor. Dozens of scientific studies, including government- and
university-sponsored studies, have shown that marijuana can help patients
with cancer and other diseases get relief from severe pain, nausea or
muscle spasticity.

Yes on Ballot Measure No. 8 would give physicians the option of authorizing
medical use of marijuana for patients in pain, protecting them from being
treated as criminals. At the same time, Ballot Measure No. 8 retains
current laws against nonmedical use of marijuana and contains strict
controls on medical use. This common-sense measure will help thousands of
Alaskans and future Alaskans with debilitating diseases.

Yes on No. 8 will help many cancer chemotherapy patients. Currently one in
three chemotherapy patients discontinues treatment because of severe nausea
and vomiting. When standard anti-nausea drugs fail, marijuana can often
ease a patient's nausea and permit continued treatment. New scientific
evidence is emerging that helps prove marijuana's value as an alternative
treatment for other medical conditions, including stroke and neuropathic
pain.

Marijuana would still be illegal for nonmedical use. Ballot Measure No. 8
provides full protection against abuse of the new law:

* Nonmedical (or fraudulent medical) use of marijuana would still be a crime.

* Only licensed physicians could authorize medical marijuana use.

* Amounts that patients could possess would be strictly limited.

* No use would be authorized in public or the workplace.

* A state of Alaska registration and ID card system would be established
for medical users.

* Only specific diseases would be covered, including cancer, acquired
immune deficiency syndrome, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, epilepsy or
severe pain and nausea.

Doctors should be able to help their patients. Opponents of Ballot Measure
No. 8 believe that doctors shouldn't be able to recommend medical marijuana
for any medical condition. However, doctors are currently allowed to
prescribe morphine. Shouldn't we trust them to recommend a less dangerous
substance like medical marijuana?

Yes on No. 8 is a humane policy for Alaskans suffering extreme pain. Alaska
law should show compassion for people who suffer severe medical conditions.
Yet while polls show most Alaskans support the medical use of marijuana,
both patients and doctors are now subject to prosecution for using or even
recommending it. Please vote yes on Ballot Measure No. 8 to join the 24
other states that have adopted a policy of compassion.

Checked-by: Richard Lake