MEDICAL POT MEASURE IS FLAWED

As elected law enforcement officials in Coos County, it is our job to
enforce the laws of this state. We have serious objections to Measure
33, a proposal that would go a long way toward legalizing marijuana in
Oregon.

The medical marijuana law that we already have is very unclear and
difficult to enforce. It is routinely abused. The police find that in
many, if not most, cases medical marijuana is grown out of compliance
with Oregon law. Measure 33 will make the law virtually
unenforceable.

The new initiative even allows naturopaths and nurse practitioners to
authorize possession of pot with a mere subjective diagnosis of
"pain." And we taxpayers will be required to foot the bill to buy pot
so it will be free for those on the Oregon Health Plan. We should
spend our scarce dollars helping those who are truly ill with
effective medications and treatment. We should not waste our money
getting druggies high.

Oregon already seems to be a mecca for drug users and dealers. "Free
pot" signs at the Oregon state line would send the wrong invitation to
the wrong folks. Please join us by voting no on Measure 33.

ANDY JACKSON

Coos County Sheriff

PAUL BURGETT

Coos County District Attorney

Coquille