It's time to present an alternative veiwpoint on Initiative 685.
I-685, if passed would remove heroin, LSD and marijuana from Class 1 narcotic
schedule. This initiative, if passed would allow physicians to prescribe
marijuana for a patient suffering from conditions such as multiple
sclerosis, glaucoma, and ravages of cancer and chemotherapy drugs. The
decision regarding the medicianl use of marijuana should be left to the
doctor and patient - not bueracrats or legislators in Olympia or
Washington D.C.

The Intitiative will also release many people presently incarcerated on
drug charges. These are not violent offenders - no rapists, murderers,
child molesters, or peple charged with assault or robbery. These people
are in jail soley on drug posesion charges.

The Washington State Medical Association voted to not support the
initiative. Why? They said there haven't been enough studies done to
relive symptoms from the conditions listed above. Whay haven't more
studies been done? It is next to impossible to get government approval
for such a study, that's how bad the "REEFER MADNESS" paranoia is in this
country.

A recent letter to the editor, from a chief of police no less,
said among other things, that if this initiative were to pass it would
make our make our drug laws unenforceable! Are they enforceable now? There
are economic intrests in keeping the current (unenforceable) drug laws
in effect. Prisons are big business these days. In privately-owned
prsions systems the more prisoners, the more money to be made.

If you are undecided on how your going to vote on initiative 685
(or you think you're going to vote against it) please do yourself, the
state, and the country a favor and rent the documentary video,
"THE HEMP REVOLUTION" available at a local video store. Currently in the
United States of America, it is illegal to even grow HEMP, not just the
plant from which marijuana comes but also the different species from
which hemp fibers are harvested. Hemp is an enviromentally friendly,
sustainable crop that could put some of the unemployed lumber workers
back to work.

Joyce Matson
Everett, WA