INITIATIVE OPPONENTS DON'T HAVE THE FACTS

Thank you for the article discussing Larry Rathbun, the MS patient
imprisoned for treating his MS with medical marijuana. While the
article was very positive overall, opponents of Montana's medical
marijuana initiative, I-148, made several unsupportable claims.

Opponents predict that I-148 would create a law-enforcement nightmare.
Yet, in 2002, Congress' investigative arm reviewed four state medical
marijuana laws and found that those laws did not hinder law
enforcement efforts.

Opponents also focus on teens' treatment for marijuana use. Yet these
arguments would only be relevant if allowing sick people to use
medical marijuana led to higher recreational use among teens. In
states with medical marijuana laws, the opposite has proven true. In
fact, California's Office of the Attorney General found that since the
state passed its medical marijuana initiative, marijuana use among
teens has dropped, in some age categories, by as much as 40 percent.

Nine states have passed medical marijuana laws since 1996. Those laws
have not led to an increase in recreational drug use, nor have they
caused law enforcement problems.

Opponents also question marijuana's medical value. Yet many
professional medical associations have endorsed the use of medical
marijuana under a doctor's supervision. Furthermore, a study
commissioned by the White House found that medical marijuana can
reduce pain, nausea and appetite loss.

I trust Montana voters will make an informed decision, in favor of
1-148, based on facts, not fear.

Paul Befumo

Medical Marijuana Policy Project of Montana

Missoula