PRO-POT LOBBY RETURNS

The folks who brought you out-in-the-open pot-smoking are back! And
this time they want you to approve the use of medical marijuana to
treat all manner of disease.

There is legislation pending on Beacon Hill that would legalize the
use of medical marijuana. But if the Legislature doesn't act before
next spring, the State House News Service reports that some
supporters plan to pursue a ballot campaign.

Recall that voters in Massachusetts approved a ballot question in
2008 that decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana,
sold on sob stories of desperate people who couldn't find work or
kids who couldn't get into college because of a criminal record of
drug possession. A civil citation would free those beleaguered souls
from their regrettable choices, the argument went.

What it really meant was that a couple of teenagers can now spark up
a joint in the middle of Commonwealth Avenue and the worst that can
happen is they'll get a ticket - that they don't really ever have to
get around to paying. It means the odor of burning marijuana isn't
enough for police to order people out of a car - even people who
happen to also be in the possession of crack cocaine. Yes, from an
enforcement perspective, the new law is a nightmare.

Supporters say the use of marijuana to alleviate pain associated with
cancer, AIDS, hepatitis C and other conditions should be legally
sanctioned by the state, and is preferred over the use of powerful,
addictive pharmaceuticals (hey, gotta get a shot at Big Pharma in
there for good measure!)

And frankly their case, while riddled with its own flaws, is more
compelling than the decriminalization effort and may have even more
popular support.

But it's a joke to think that the presence of 18 "official" medical
marijuana dispensaries in the state won't increase access to the drug
for even the healthiest among us. Voters should take a skeptical view
of the next pro-pot ballot campaign.