PUFF, PUFF, PASS (THE PETITION)

Supporters of a Initiative to Ease Marijuana Enforcement Say They're
More Than Halfway to Their Signature Goal.

A ballot initiative to give many adult-related marijuana offenses the
lowest enforcement priority of Portland police got top priority at a
local pot legalization group's annual rally last weekend.

Organizers say they have gathered 15,000 signatures from registered
city voters--more than half of the 26,000 needed by July 7 to place
the question on the November ballot.

The measure found a ready audience among hundreds of marijuana users
and supporters groggily gathered in Pioneer Courthouse Square at noon
Saturday. Petitions for the Citizens for a SAFER Portland initiative
circulated throughout the ganja-loving gathering organized by the
Oregon chapter of the National Organization for the Reformation of
Marijuana Laws, or NORML.

The proposed measure to soften enforcement of marijuana laws would
not apply to offenses "relating to minors [or] driving under the
influence of marijuana, or offenses occurring within 1,000 feet of
schools," according to the petition's language.

"We've got over 40 people gathering signatures," says City Council
candidate Chris Iverson, who also serves as campaign manager for
Citizens for a SAFER Portland. "I feel confident we're going to make
the ballot."

The three-hour event of speeches and a one-mile march around downtown
Portland attracted a lot of stereotypical stoners, some wearing paper
bags with photos attached of famous pot growers such as George
Washington and users such as Jennifer Aniston.

And many wore dark sunglasses despite overcast skies.

But the event also focused on serious issues faced by medical
marijuana patients in places other than Oregon, which is one of 11
states where pot can be legally smoked for medical purposes.

Cynthia and her husband, Philip, who would not divulge their last
names, were visiting from Florida (a state with a long history of
trying to legalize medical marijuana use) and attended the march and
rally in the square with their 9-year-old son, Cullen.

Philip uses marijuana to relieve the pain he suffers from a fused
vertebra. Cullen knows his fortysomething father uses pot to treat
his symptoms. But Philip stressed that he does not condone the use of
marijuana by a child.

"We don't give him alcohol or cigarettes, either," said Philip. "He
knows that there are disparities in the law."

Also attending were candidates in the May 16 primary who support
downgraded doobage, such as Iverson and Multnomah County sheriff
challenger Don DuPay.

Meanwhile, gubernatorial hopeful Joe Keating took full advantage of
his Green Party status (that's green as in environmental). Keating is
running on a pro-herb platform, stating the importance of taxing
marijuana to generate money for the state and making the process of
obtaining medical marijuana easier for the sick.

For Keating, this message comes from the heart. His partner, Carol
Leona, is a breast cancer patient and a medical marijuana user.

Keating acts as her caretaker and admits to smoking recreationally
himself. Asked whether he was feeling mellow last Saturday, Keating
answered, "No, I'm not."