'Journey for Justice' group must follow pedestrian laws

Quadriplegic Dan Asbury and at least nine other people plan to begin a
140 mile journey this morning from his Oregon home to Columbus in what
they call a "Journey for Justice."

The group three of whom will be in wheelchairs is protesting a
decision by the legislature last winter to close a loophole in state law
that provided a legal defense for ill people who use marijuana for
medical purposes. Mr. Asbury is on probation for his conviction for
growing marijuana in his backyard.

But state officials have issued an 11thhour warning to the group that
people using wheelchairs must follow the same laws as pedestrians, which
means they have to travel against oncoming traffic.

Kay lee, the organizer of the event, said that's impossible. Besides
three wheelchairs, the caravan will include a scooter and two support
vans.

The Ohio Highway Patrol said that if the group doesn't follow the laws
the travelers will be ticked and perhaps stopped from continuing their
expected sixday journey.

Ms. Lee, who suffers from a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis, said
she contacted the Ohio Department of Transportation more than a week ago
to find out what her group needed to do to conduct a safe trip.

"I didn't ask permission," she said. " I just wanted to find out what
roads to go on and what sort of signs we should use."

Joseph Broschart, ODOT special projects coordinator, said he checked
with the attorney general's office and found out that wheelchairs are
treated like pedestrians. So he called Ms. Lee and advised her against
going.

"It's dangerous on backroads when you have narrow shoulders," he said.
"Since they should be facing traffic, it would be difficult for their
support vehicles to follow."

But Ms. Lee does not plan on her caravan facing traffic.

"We are going to try and go as far as we can the way we planned." she
said.

The group plans to travel along county and state roads thru Elmore,
Fremont, Upper Sandusky, and Marion to reach Columbus, where they hope
to arrive at the state capitol either Friday night or Saturday morning.

Hopefully, Ms. Lee said, the group will be able to meet with legislators
to voice their complaints.

"[Legislators] have called this medicine a hoax," she said. "You would
think they would want to see these people to know it's not a hoax."

Ms. Lee noted that the march's participants, particularly those in
wheelchairs and on a scooter, are "taking a great risk coming out like
this. Most of them are taking a great risk getting out of bed."

The Highway Patrol said it will not allow the marchers to risk safety to
make their point.

"As long as they obey the laws, nothing will happen." Said Sgt. Brenda
Collins, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol. "However, if a violation
occurs, they could be stopped and ticketed. And they will be told not to
continue to do it."

Ms. Lee said her group will deal with that problem if it happens.

"If they confront us, I guess we'll determine at the moment what we'll
do," she said. "We plan on handling it with as much dignity as we can."