MEASURE 33

What it is: (from the 2004 General Election Explanatory Statement)

"Ballot Measure 33 allows the creation of licensed non-profit dispensaries
regulated by the Oregon Department of Human Services to produce, possess,
and sell marijuana to registered patients and/or caregivers. The measure
requires dispensaries to pay license fees, keep records, submit monthly
reports, be subject to inspection, and pay 10% to 20% of gross revenue to
the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program to fund the program.

"The measure increases the amount of marijuana that may be possessed by a
registered patient or designated medical marijuana caregiver to 10
marijuana plants and one pound of usable marijuana at any one time.

"The measure amends the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act to include licensed
Naturopaths and Nurse Practioners in the definition of 'attending
physician' for purposes of the Act.

"The measure retains criminal penalties for non-medical use of marijuana.

"The department shall engage in scientific research as to the safety and
efficacy of marijuana as medicine and annually publish a report of the data
and results."

Who's for it:

A number of medical marijuana advocates, including the Marijuana Policy
Project, the Yes on 33 campaign, A Life With Dignity Committee, and Voter
Power. These groups argue that the measure would allow patients to fit
their marijuana use to their particular condition.

Who's against it:

Anti-marijuana groups and individuals who see this as an attempt at future
legalization of the drug. Also, some oppose the measure because of the
$75,000 in costs that wouldn't be covered by fees established by the Oregon
Department of Human Services.

What we think:

This measure is a huge step towards removing the stigma associated with
marijuana in the medical community. We feel the measure is written in such
a way as to minimalize abuse of the system by clever stoners. The retention
of criminal penalties for non-medical marijuana use and the establishment
of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Commission are effective safeguards against
such abuse. Whether you approve of recreational use of marijuana or not, it
is impossible to deny its positive medicinal value. And, compared to other
herbal supplements sold over-the-counter without FDA approval, marijuana
has relatively few immediate or dangerous side-effects. With all that in
mind, we support Measure 33 in its attempt to make the lives of medical
marijuana users a little less stressful.

For more information:

http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/nov22004/m33_bt.pdf

http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/irr/2004/031text.pdf

www.yeson33.org

www.voterpower.org