SMOKE AND MIRRORS IN MARIJUANA DEBATE

Medical marijuana supporters aren't exactly blowing smoke with their
interpretation of a new opinion poll showing strong opinions about the
controversial issue, but they aren't exactly being straight with their
view of what state voters think.

The statewide poll, released Tuesday, without a doubt shows that
Colorado voters still overwhelmingly support the notion of people
being allowed to use marijuana for medical reasons if their physician
approves it.

Officials from Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation, a group
made up of medical-marijuana users and providers, say the poll shows
that state voters by a 2-1 margin want state lawmakers to create laws
that would allow the state to license dispensaries, limit the amount
of marijuana individuals can buy, and allow cities to regulate the
stores.

Maybe.

While the poll was by no means misleading, the interpretation of
results certainly are. Poll takers asked participants whether they
would vote for or against a statewide ballot measure that would:

(1) establish state-licensed marijuana dispensaries to cultivate and
provide marijuana to patients with doctors' recommendations;

(2) allow local governments to set limits on the number of
dispensaries and to enact zoning regulations applicable to the
dispensaries; and

(3) require patients to be registered with the state and set a limit
on the amount of marijuana patients can acquire through the dispensary
system.

The imagined ballot question covers too many topics too vaguely to say
the public has a definitive and indisputable opinion on all those
points. What if each city said there can be only one dispensary in
each town? How much marijuana should dispensaries be able to grow?
What about regulating THC content or byproducts such as lozenges or
other marijuana-based products?

What the poll does show, however, is that there has been and continues
to be a strong public approval of allowing those who have medical
approval to use marijuana for health-related purposes. That sentiment
was clear when voters approved the measure in 2000. And it's just as
clear now. What state lawmakers should take away from this poll is
that voters want legislators to take up the matter and create rules
and regulations protect the public's right to acquire marijuana when
they need it, and a system that prevents a free-for-all among
dispensaries.