MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATE WANTS VOTERS TO BE INFORMED

ONTARIO -- With the Nov. 2, general election right around the corner,
Jim Klahr, chair of the Advisory Committee of Medical Marijuana,
wants to let voters see another side of the issue.

Klahr said all the facts may not have been shared in an article that
appeared in the Argus Observer Aug. 1. He said he wanted to let
voters hear his side of the argument and make an informed decision.

Klahr said he sees many different problems with the current program
that is in place and helped draft the current measure that is on the
ballot to help fix the problems and fill in any loose ends.

"I helped write the measure," Klahr said. "I am trying to listen to
the pulse of the people, through my Web site."

Klahr's Web site, oregongreenfree.com, is a site for those who
already utilize the medical marijuana program and support it. The
site has multiple surveys that are run at various times, getting
feedback from marijuana users on various subjects.

Oregonians will have three ballot measures on which to decide in
November. The medical marijuana initiative is Measure 74.

Measure 74 is a measure to enable dispensaries to sell marijuana to
Oregon Medical Marijuana Program card holders.

"We get grants for research to see the scientific and therapeutic
benefits of cannabis," Klahr said. "Patients need a place to get
medication immediately. Some have waited up to 17 months. Some need
it to be administered to them in an assisted care hospice."

Although a general perception of marijuana is that it is smoked,
Klahr said that most users of medical marijuana are getting away from
smoking it. The other two ways for patients to consume medical
marijuana is by vaporizing it or eating it.

With the vaporizing method, the user simply puts the marijuana into
the machine and turns it on.

Once the bag is filled the patient then inhales the contents.

Klahr said the vaporization method does not leave any carcinogenic
properties and no odor. The patient can feel the effects immediately.

"Marijuana stops nausea instantly and helps people who can't sleep to
sleep," Klahr said. "We are also seeing cards for secondary
conditions like post traumatic stress disorder. Vets need that."

For those who wish to take the route of the edible method, it helps
best for those with deep muscle and bone pain.

"It depends on what type of pain you have to how you take it," Klahr said.

One of Klahr's arguments for the standardization of medical marijuana
is to help patients get the medicine quicker.

Klahr also said the Institute of Cannabis Therapeutics is to bring
testing for contaminants as well as find an efficient way to
distribute the product.

"They (the dispensaries) can be anywhere," Klahr said. "It is based
on the amount or people that can use it."

Klahr also said if the measure passes, the rights of those who have
an OMMP card will not change.

Just like with the card holders, those who will have a dispensary
will have to obtain a permit. A background check must be completed,
same as for those who grow their own marijuana.

A previous conviction of a crime for drugs or violence might prevent
a person from securing a right to grow.

As for those who contend those who are just using the system to smoke
marijuana, Klahr said there are always people looking for a loophole.

Klahr said marijuana is a medicine that works. He said there are more
than 43,000 people in the state who use it as a medicine, with more
than 3,200 doctors who are on board as well.

Klahr himself is a medical marijuana card holder but says he has not
smoked or used marijuana for seven years, come Aug. 28.

He is currently on the transplant waiting list for a liver, with
conditions not related to marijuana use.