PANEL ENDORSES POT ISSUE ON BALLOT

Another Group Opposes the Crime Mandatory-Sentence Proposal; Both Are
on November Ballot

SALEM - A panel of 24 Oregon voters on Friday wrapped up a week of
reviewing the medical marijuana initiative by narrowly endorsing the measure.

The Citizens' Initiative Review panel on Measure 74 voted 13-11 in
support of the proposal on the November ballot that would create a
state-regulated network of medical marijuana dispensaries.

An earlier panel working under the same framework last week came out
with a much more unified vote - 21-3 - in opposition to ballot
Measure 73, which would set mandatory minimum sentences for repeat
drunken-driving and sex-crime convictions.

The two Citizens' Initiative Review panels were created by the
nonpartisan Healthy Democracy Oregon. The 2009 Legislature passed a
law allowing their findings to go into the Oregon Voters' Pamphlet,
which reaches every voting household in the state.

This week's pot-initiative panel broadly agreed on several "key
findings" about the measure, including that "the language of the
measure lacks clarity on regulation, operation, and enforcement," and
that the proposed dispensary program "is financially self-sustaining
and may provide funds for research."

The narrow majority that voted in favor of Measure 74 concluded that
it would create "a safe, compassionate and prompt access program for
Oregon medical marijuana patients, introduces regulation, and is
financially sound."

The minority of 11 panelists who opposed the measure drafted a
summary of their position: "Measure 74, a thinly veiled attempt to
legalize marijuana, has a high probability of being abused!"

Panelist Melissa Norgren said she went back and forth throughout the
week as she read through advocates' and opponents' materials,
listened to their presentations, and questioned experts who were
called to weigh in on the proposal.

"The fact that it came down so evenly shows what a difficult measure
it is," said Norgren, a Portland teacher who served as spokeswoman
for the majority who supported Measure 74.