FORMER DEA AGENT WEIGHS IN ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA MEASURE

COTTONWOOD -- A former special agent with the Drug Enforcement
Administration examined the language that would allow medical
marijuana use under Proposition 203.

Douglas Hebert, who is now a board member for the Partnership for a
Drug Free America /Arizona said the proposition text is 32 pages long
and is a "vehicle to legalize marijuana." He spoke Thursday to a
regular meeting of the MATForce in Prescott and Cottonwood.

Hebert says George Soros has been financing the medical marijuana
initiatives around the county in an effort to "prey on voters
sympathy." But, he notes, "make no bones about it, it is a stated
intention to legalize marijuana."

The text of the proposition also would thwart efforts of law
enforcement, prosecutors, the courts, state licensing entities and
employers to enforce drug use.

He cites the American Medical Association, American Cancer Society and
other such institutions would do not sanction "smoking marijuana as a
medicine."

At the same time, Marinol, a prescription drug which contains the THC
component of marijuana, has already been approved for medical use.

The new proposition would bypass the glitch that allowed the 1996
Arizona approval of medical marijuana, to be overturned through used
the word "prescription." Federal law prohibits physicians from
prescribing Schedule I drugs. Instead, a patient would need a "written
certification" to become a "cardholder" for medical marijuana use.

Physicians, including osteopaths and naturopaths would be allowed to
write the certifications. Even juveniles under 18 could receive a
certification.

Consumption is limited to 2.5 ounces ever 14 days or an estimate of
100 to 200 cigarettes. If you live more than 25 miles from a
dispensary, Hebert explains, you would be allowed to grow your own.

The former DEA agent warns that marijuana "grows" can become hazardous
with fungicides, and pesticides. Colorado now trains firefighters to
be aware of the electrical hazards that come with indoor grows.

Medical marijuana would come under the authority of the Department of
Health Services in Arizona, according to Hebert and would not be
subject to prosecution. DHS may only make an inspection with a
"reasonable" advanced notice.

Additional restrictions, according to Hebert, disallow cardholders or
physicians to be arrested. No school may refuse to enroll or landlord
to lease to a cardholder and employers may not "discriminate" against
a cardholder, even though medical marijuana may not be used on a work
site or on school property, school bus, public transportation or in a
public place.

In addition, he says, operating a vehicle, aircraft or motorboat with
metabolites of marijuana is not considered "under the influence" if
not in a sufficient concentration to cause impairment.

One woman in the Prescott audience who said she works for CPS worried
that a staff member "entrusted with children could go off site and
smoke medical marijuana" and still have charge of children.

Hebert says there are going to be a lot of questions about the
workplace and around the state from the proposition.

Another audience member wondered if there would be any recourse for
the unintended consumption of medical marijuana from second-hand smoke.

"I am sure that marijuana has been responsible for a number of traffic
fatalities. We will have to be aware when driving down the road that
there could be other drivers who are medical marijuana cardholders,"
said Hebert.

Fourteen states so far have approved medical marijuana
provisions.

Hebert says groups who oppose the proposition have banded together to
make the public aware of all the provisions of Proposition 203 at
keepazdrugfree.com.