POT SUPPORT GROWING

An initiative to enhance the distribution of medical marijuana to the
seriously ill could be on the Oregon ballot in 2004, according to a recent
statement from the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C.

Oregonians have consistently supported the right of seriously ill people to
use marijuana for medical purposes, but a recent poll shows that support
has grown since Oregon's medical marijuana initiative passed in 1998.

According to the poll, administered to over 1,000 adults by the Lucas
Organization, 76.5 percent of Oregon voters "strongly support" or "somewhat
support" the state law allowing "seriously ill patients to use and grow
their own medical marijuana with the approval of their physicians." This is
a big jump over the 55 percent of voters who supported the initiative in
1998. The poll was conducted in three other states with medical marijuana
laws, which also show increased levels of support since their laws were passed.

The poll results also indicate that Oregon voters would favor expanding the
law to allow medical marijuana distribution by non- profit medical clinics
(69.1 percent) or the state government (64.4 percent).

"Oregonians have already taken the first step by providing legal protection
to people suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, and other
terrible illnesses," says Kristin Oechslin of the Marijuana Policy Projec.
"Making sure sick people can easily obtain their medicine is the logical
next step."

For more information, Oechslin can be reached at Krissy@mpp.org