Headline: Drug Initiative

Copyright 1997 The Associated Press.

SEATTLE (AP) Voters on Tuesday defeated a proposal to make Washington
the third state in a year to reject federal drug policy and approve the
medical use of marijuana and other drugs.

With 10 percent of precincts reporting, the measure was failing 61 percent
to 39 percent.

Final results may not be available for days, since onethird of Washington
voters were expected to cast ballots by mail.

The measure would have legalized possession of marijuana, heroin, LSD and
other drugs by people who are seriously ill. Patients would need written
recommendations from two physicians, and the doctors would have to cite
scientific research supporting use of the drug.

It also would have altered state sentencing policies to require treatment
rather than prison for people convicted of nonviolent drug crimes.

Approval apparently would have paved the way for the release of 300 inmates
serving time for drug possession.

The measure's sponsor, Dr. Rob Killian, said the change would provide
relief to cancer patients and others who are seriously ill. Physicians
already have limited authority to prescribe cocaine, morphine and other
addictive drugs.

Opponents said it was a step toward drug legalization. The federal
government prohibits any use of marijuana, medicinal or otherwise. While
the initiative called for legal possession by the ill, it didn't create a
lawful way for them to obtain the drug.

The measure was based on the Arizona referendum approved by voters in 1996,
only to be blocked later by legislators. Californians also approved
medicinal use of marijuana last year.