POT QUESTION ON FALL BALLOT IN PARTS OF EAST ARLINGTON

Voters in Anne Paulsen's legislative district will have their say on
medical marijuana in November.

The advisory question would ask the district's legislators to support
legislation to allow marijuana use for chronically ill patients, asking
should the senator or representative "vote in favor of legislation that
would allow seriously ill patients, with their doctor's written
recommendation, to possess and grow small amounts of marijuana for their
personal medical use." According to Steve Epstein of the Massachusetts
Cannabis Reform Coalition, helping the sick should take priority over
punishing pot smokers. "We want people who have a doctor's recommendation
to use (marijuana) as a medication," said Epstein. "We hope the legislature
sees the wisdom of adopting a law that's similar to ones in California,
Washington state, Maine, Colorado." This is only the third district in the
state targeted for the medical marijuana question. Over the past three
years, 52 districts have passed advisory questions supportive of
decriminalizing marijuana. Epstein said the intent is to keep the issue
alive and gather enough campaign funding for a statewide question campaign.

"It takes close to $2 million for a statewide ballot," said Epstein.
Decriminalization is different than legalizing marijuana use, said
Epstein. The difference with decriminalization is anyone caught smoking
dope would be given a ticket, like a traffic ticket, instead of being
hauled off to jail. Paulsen said marijuana use for sick citizens should
not be a crime. "We should try to give every advantage we can to people
who have some kind of ailment that requires relief," said Paulsen, who
represents Precincts 2 and 4 in Arlington.

Paulsen said she has co-signed legislation to allow marijuana as
medication prescribed by a physician.

Epstein said the reluctance to even discuss medical marijuana or marijuana
decriminalization at the state level is based in fear and because of the
drug war. "You would have to ask the Legislature about that. The district
attorneys especially tell them, 'No, we have to treat them as criminals,'"
said Epstein. "They're afraid."

Epstein said he feels most state representatives and senators are
reasonable and understand decriminalization and especially medical
marijuana use should be passed, but can't say so for fear of retribution
from political enemies and district attorneys.

"If you get 100 of them alone and say, 'I won't tell anyone about this,"
they'd say, 'Yeah, we should give them a ticket, like in other states,'"
said Epstein.