INITIATIVE WOULD SET UP MEDICAL POT NETWORK

SACRAMENTO - The group that promoted California's medical marijuana
initiative in 1996 wants to set up a showdown with the federal government
with a ballot measure that would set up a state-controlled network to
distribute the drug to patients.

Santa Monica-based Americans for Medical Rights wants the initiative on the
November 2002 ballot in Arizona, Oregon or Washington, three states that
also have medical marijuana laws.

California has been ruled out because it would be too expensive to conduct
a campaign there, said Bill Zimmerman, leader of the group.

The measure, which would formalize a state government-controlled network to
distribute medical marijuana, would set up an almost certain U.S. Supreme
Court battle over states' rights.

Eight states including California have legalized marijuana for medical use,
but the narcotic remains illegal for cultivation, sales and use of any sort
under federal law.

In California, home of the nation's first medical marijuana law, an uneasy
detente had reigned between federal officials and cannabis clubs until a
Supreme Court ruling in May rolled back provisions of Proposition 215 that
addressed the distribution of the marijuana that patients use.

Recently, federal agents have shut down a West Hollywood cannabis club
endorsed by city officials, raided a Ventura County garden operated by
patients and seized medical records from a prominent medical marijuana
doctor in Northern California.

Sue North, chief of staff for state Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clara,
said the actions of federal officials are hurting patients who use
marijuana to ease pain or to help with nausea caused by chemotherapy or AIDS.

"The target here isn't dope dealers on the school grounds," North said.
"This is about stopping people with serious medical conditions from getting
access to something that helps them."

U.S. Justice Department officials did not respond to requests for comment,
but DEA spokesman Richard Meyer said agents are required to enforce drug laws.

Americans for Medical Rights has pushed medical marijuana initiatives in
several states over the last decade. It is financed largely by George
Soros, a billionaire New York financier, and several other wealthy benefactors.