REJECT CONFUSING MARIJUANA PLAN

Oregon's existing medical marijuana laws have created a mess - placing
pot in a murky legal status that is confusing for law enforcement,
employers and even the people who might have a legitimate health
reason for the use of marijuana.

Given the well-documented problems with the medical marijuana program,
we agree with proponents of Measure 74, which appears on the Nov. 2
ballot: Something needs to be done. In our view, however, this
particular measure would only add to the confusion, pushing marijuana
closer to legalization without actually making it legal.

Measure 74 would set up a system of nonprofit dispensaries that could
produce, sell, transport and supply pot to people who hold medical
marijuana cards. At present, it is very easy to obtain permission for
a medical marijuana card through physicians who specialize in
authorizing such cards. The state has granted cards to tens of
thousands of Oregonians in the 12 years since voters initially
approved the medical marijuana program.

But there are obvious troubles that arise from allowing marijuana
cards by the thousands. When some people can legally use pot - but
others cannot - police have difficulty enforcing drug laws and
employers are burdened with deciding whether some workers should be
excluded from their drug policies.

Measure 74 doesn't solve these issues, but it does have the potential
to greatly expand the availability of marijuana and encourage even
more people to avail themselves of the program.

We have argued that Oregonians need to make up their minds about
marijuana -either it is legal or it is not. Measure 74 takes another
incremental step toward legalization, but fails to ask the real hard
questions about pot in overall society.

Voters should reject this measure, lest they further confuse a system
that's confounding enough already.