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.

* Walter Johnson, M.D., Arndt von Hippel, M.D., Ileen Self, R.N., are
members of the Anchorage medical community. Eight other physicians and two
other nurses also signed this piece.

Checked-by: Don Beck