SHERIFF DOTSON, COLLEAGUES CONCERNED OVER MEASURE 33

Sheriff Dotson offered the following information to voters on a
marijuana measure, Measure 33, which will appear on our ballots,
"Measure 33 is a poorly conceived and written initiative ... If
passed, the result would be a dramatic increase in the already high
illegal use of marijuana in Oregon .. As responsible citizens, we
should not allow this to happen."

The measure allows:

. Possession of 10 mature marijuana plants in addition to six pounds
of processed marijuana. This is equivalent to 16 pounds of marijuana;
enough to make more than 18,000 marijuana cigarettes (joints). It
would require smoking more than two joints every hour of every day in
the year to smoke that many joints. This amount of marijuana also has
a wholesale market value of more than $64,000.

. 18 year olds to possess large amounts of marijuana.

. Marijuana to be prescribed to children with a parent's
permission.

. Naturopaths and nurse practitioners to authorize persons to possess
greater quantities.

. Expanding the definition of "any medical condition" to include any
medical condition to which the naturopath or nurse practitioner
determines appropriate.

. Delivery, possession and distribution of marijuana in public
places.

. Creation of private marijuana farms and marijuana stores in
residential neighborhoods and adjacent to schools.

The measure further requires providing marijuana to indigent users at
taxpayer expense.

Dotson emphasized, "This would be a bad law and the consequences would
be devastating to our children, families, schools, businesses and
entire communities. Please do not support Measure 33."