DON'T GIVE UP THE FIGHT FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

VOTERS wisely rejected Initiative 685, the sweeping drugpolicy reform
measure. But the need persists for responsible laws allowing medicinal use
of marijuana.

Some opponents of the measure said they would have supported a more
narrowly drawn plan to ensure the safe delivery and legal use of pot
strictly for pain relief. They should now join with patients, doctors,
clergy, researchers and concerned others in a focused fight for medical
marijuana.

A bill is now moving through Congress that would reform federal drug laws
to allow medical use of marijuana as a pain reliever. But the battle must
continue on both national and state levels. In Washington state, an effort
to pass a narrow bill legalizing medical pot for the terminally ill
promises to divide Republicans in the next legislative session.

State Sen. Alex Deccio, RYakima, chairman of the Senate Health and
LongTerm Care Committee, has expressed interest in holding hearings on
medical marijuana. But Rep. Bill Backlund, RRedmond, vice chairman of the
House Health Care Committee, thinks people have "had their say" on the
issue. Backlund is sadly mistaken.

Voters said no to the overreaching agenda of I685, not to the narrow
question of whether marijuana should be medicalized. The ravages of AIDS,
cancer and other debilitating diseases know no party lines. Sen. Deccio's
support for medical marijuana stems from his daughter's death due to
Hodgkins' disease. Dr. Rob Killian, I685's sponsor, has extensive
experience with AIDS patients who smoked pot to stave off the horrible
symptoms of wasting.

Democrat Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, the leading opponent of I685, is now open to
the idea of carefully defined legislation that specifies what "seriously or
terminally ill" means and proposes a controlled process for growing and
distributing marijuana. Policymakers looking for a model distribution
system needn't look far.

The Green Cross Patient Coop, an aboveground medical marijuana network,
has been operating for years on Bainbridge Island with the full knowledge
of local police. The nonprofit coop distributes only medical marijuana;
patient satisfaction is high. Every one of the coop's 200 members is
required to submit a signed doctor's letter. Most have spinal cord
injuries, AIDS, multiple sclerosis and cancer.

Growing and distribution are strictly controlled. Joanna McKee, cofounder
of the coop, says she'd gladly let the state take over. Owen, who has
pledged to bring people together in the wake of I685's failure, should
make sure McKee is at the table. Legislative hearings should be scheduled.
Crusaders in the drug war who want to abandon the medical marijuana debate
should know that there is no victory until the plight of suffering patients
denied relief in the name of "Just Say No" politics is addressed with care
and compassion.

Copyright 1997 The Seattle Times Company