OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT - INCREASE MARIJUANA PENALTY

Making Pot Possession More Than A Traffic Ticket Sends A Clearer Message To
Oregon Young People

When Oregon legislators approved a new, slightly stronger penalty for
marijuana possession last year, they were acknowledging that times have
changed.

Back in 1973 when legislators reduced the penalties for marijuana
possession to the level of traffic tickets, they were responding mainly to
old laws that overreacted to the crime of marijuana possession. They also
were reacting to the prevailing scientific and social opinion at the time
that suggested marijuana was safe and non-addictive. They were right about
the old penalties, but they turned out to be wrong about the science.

In the past decade, scientists have discovered that marijuana is addictive.
There also is evidence that marijuana smoke poses many of the same health
risks -- cancer, lung damage -- that other forms of smoking pose.

The last Legislature moved to "recriminalize" marijuana by increasing its
status as an offense from a violation -- the equivalent of a traffic ticket
- -- to a Class C misdemeanor -- the equivalent of being a minor in
possession of alcohol. Opponents forced it to the ballot and now voters
must say, by deciding on Ballot Measure 57 on Nov. 3, whether they approve
the change.

Voters should just say yes. "Recriminalizing" pot sends the message society
should send --especially to young people.

The other thing that has changed in the past decade has been the frequency
with which young people use marijuana. A study conducted by the Regional
Drug Initiative in Portland indicated that the percentage of Oregon eighth
graders who said they used marijuana within the past 30 days rose from 6
percent in 1992 to 15 percent in 1996. One reason for the increase is the
mixed message that comes from treating possession as an inconsequential
matter.

The move would make those convicted subject to greater -- but hardly
draconian -- penalties and make it clear that marijuana possession is
serious business.

Checked-by: Richard Lake