VOTERS TO DECIDE QUESTION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE

Some patients say the drug helps, others worry about message

Will smoking marijuana make me feel better?

It's a question a few local doctors have been asked by patients being
treated for multiple sclerosis, HIV ans AIDS, and side effects of
chemotherapy.

The patients who have used marijuana for medical relief experienced some
benefits, the physicians say. For MS patients, those included pain relief
and mental clarity. For AIDS patients and those with chemotherapy-induced
nausea, the drug apparently increased appetite and helped them keep down
their food.

Those are the patients who would benefit most if voters approve a measure
on the Nov. 3 ballot to make marijuana legal to use for medicinal purposes
in Oregon. Measure 67, the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, would allow
patients, with a doctors approval, to use the illegal drug to relieve
symptoms of specific diseases and illnesses, including cancer, glacoma, Lou
Gehrig's (ALS), AIDS, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries.

Supporters of the measure say it would not permit the sale of marijuana,
would not allow marijuana to be smoked in public places, and would not make
marijuana legal for use or possession by the general public. They also
argue that marijuana is an age old remedy that suffering people should have
the right to choose.

But opponents say the measure is a gateway effort to legalize marijuana,
and eventually all drugs. They say the measure sets a poor example for
children, who are taught that drugs such as marijuana are dangerous and
detrimental.

And they say enforcing such a law would be a nightmare, especially because
the measure only requires patients to be suffering from pain for a doctor
to authorize use of the drug.

If the measure passes, patients would be required to obtain a letter of
permission to use marijuana from a physician. With the letter, patients
then would be able to recieve a medical marijuana user identification card
from the Oregon Health Division. The card would allow the patient to carry
up to an ounce of marijuana and grow up to three plants.

The chief petitioners for the measure are Dr. Richard Bayer, a retired
Portland physician, and Stormy Ray, a grandmother from Ontario who suffers
from multiple sclerosis. Ray began using marijuana to combat the symptoms
of the disease after several alternative methods failed.

Measure 67's supporters include some physicians and sufferers who believe
in the healing power of marijuana. But funding for the campaign to pass the
measure is coming from out-of-state coffers.

Opponents fear Measure 67 is just a method of legalizing drugs. Among the
chief opponents are political action committees representing law
enforcement officers in Oregon. Many district attorneys, sheriffs and
police chiefs also have come out against the measure.

Local law enforcement officals are among those who oppose legalizing
marijuana for medical use. Redmond Police Chief Jim Carlton said he
personally feels the law would be a bad for children and would be
impossible to enforce.

" My primary concern is that I think it sends the wrong message to
children," Carlton said. " Marijuana smoking has adverse factors, and it's
a gateway drug, " meaning people who start smoking marijuana often move on
to using other illegal drugs.

Prineville Police Chief Jim Soules echoed Carlton's concerns, adding that
he personally is unconvinced of the medical benefits of marijuana.

" My first concern is that there are no legitimate, respected medical
studies that show there is any benefit," Soules said. " And it's never been
through the FDA ( Federal Drug Administration ) test."

Local doctors remain ambivalent about the measure. They say Marinol, a
synthetic version of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, is a
reasonable alternative. That's the drug prescribed when patients ask if
marijuana might help them.

" That's the medicine I can prescribe legally," said Dr. Richard Boone, an
oncologist with Bend Memorial Clinic. " Marijuana doesn't need to be legal.
It's already available by prescription, and in a much safer form."

Boone says he has an arsenal of anti-nausea and other drugs to prescribe to
his patients, and that he only writes half a dozen prescriptions a year for
Marinol. When he does write a prescription, it's at a patients request.

Patients that smoke marijuana, including Stormy Ray, say Marinol does not
work as well as smoking the real, and that it takes longer for the
synthetic version to take effect.

To reach Oregonians for Medical Rights, the Yes on 67 committee, call
503-371-4711.

To reach Oregonians Against Dangerous Drugs, the No on 67 committee, call
503-598-8806.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski