VOTE NO: THIS INITIATIVE WILL DESTROY A SYSTEM THAT'S WORKING

My name is Stormy Ray. In 1985, I was a wife and mother of four, and I
had a successful career. While walking to my car one day, my legs gave
out from under me. Months later I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

By 1991, I weighed only 87 pounds. I was wasting away, physically
drained, unable to eat, and my body was contorted with continual pain
and muscle spasms.

As I returned from the hospital emergency room, a close friend of our
family offered to give me something, saying he knew I wouldn't approve
but it would help me. At the time, I couldn't respond. I was so
drained that I was physically unable to control my eyes or my mouth.
My pain was unbearable. I felt like I was entombed within my own body.

My friend held something up to my lips and told me to take a deep
breath. I did and the relief was almost instantaneous. The smoke from
a marijuana cigarette had barely reached my lungs when I opened my
eyes and yelled at him, "What was that?" After a pause I said, "I
don't care. I want some more."

Since 1991, I have slowly reduced the pharmaceutical drugs I take, and
today I use nothing but medical marijuana to combat the symptoms of my
multiple sclerosis. In 1998, I was asked to be the chief petitioner
for Measure 67, which created Oregon's Medical Marijuana Program.

Thank you, Oregon, from the bottom of my heart for voting for Oregon's
Medical Marijuana Act. Today I weigh 110 pounds and I'm living life to
the fullest. Your compassion has allowed more than 11,000 sick and
disabled patients to have a better quality of life. The Oregon Medical
Marijuana Act is the best medical marijuana program in the United States.

I can't thank Oregon's law enforcement community enough for protecting
our program from those who would use it as a shield for illegal
activity. Oregon's Medical Marijuana Program must maintain its
integrity to survive.

The marijuana program gives sick and disabled patients the right to
grow small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Patients who are
unable to grow their own medicine are allowed to assign a caregiver to
assist.

I know there are many obstacles a patient must face when growing
medical marijuana. The equipment alone can cost more than $1,000. Many
patients have physical limitations that prevent them from doing the
growing. Others simply don't have enough room. Many patients don't
have an adequate supply of marijuana, but I don't think turning our
program over to the black market will help them.

More importantly, expanding our program with Measure 33 could have
unforeseen consequences. It would almost certainly bring federal
intervention. We could even lose our medical marijuana program altogether.

In a Sept. 13 Associated Press news story, White House drug czar John
Walters was quoted as saying that Measure 33 would turn Oregon into a
safe haven for drug trafficking. "We do not intend to let any part of
the United States become a safe haven for drug trafficking," he said.
He declined to elaborate on what steps the federal government might
take if the measure passes.

Proponents of Measure 33 claim it will create a system of
state-regulated dispensaries at which patients can safely buy
marijuana. But reading Measure 33, I find little to support their argument.

Measure 33 will change our patient-based program to allow anyone 18 or
older to grow, own and sell marijuana. Anyone with $1,000 and 25 names
of registry-identified cardholders on a petition will be eligible to
register as a dispensary, regardless of their criminal history.

Measure 33 places no limits on the number of plants or the amount of
marijuana that dispensaries and their agents can produce. It is not
reasonable to think the state could prevent criminals from abusing
this program.

A lack of knowledge about growing marijuana has already led many
patients to fall victim to black market growers looking for immunity
from the law. If Measure 33 passes, black market growers will find it
easier to legally exploit patients.

Marijuana laws need change, but that's no excuse for tricking voters
into destroying a medical marijuana program that is already helping
patients. Measure 33 attempts to replace our marijuana program with a
bad law.

Please vote no on Measure 33. Your vote will keep Oregon's medical
marijuana program safe.

Stormy Ray was one of the chief petitioners for Measure 67, which
established the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.