GROUP WANTS STATE-RUN DRUG SYSTEM

Advocates Of Medicinal Marijuana Plan Ballot Measure For One Of Three States

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- The group that promoted California's medicinal marijuana
initiative in 1996 wants to place a measure on the ballot in Arizona,
Oregon or Washington 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 one of those three states, all of which have
medicinal marijuana laws.

California, home of the nation's first medicinal marijuana law, has been
ruled out because it would be too expensive to conduct a campaign here,
said Bill Zimmerman, leader of the group.

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

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

In California, 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 medicinal marijuana
doctor in Northern California.

Sue North, chief of staff for state Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-San Jose,
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 Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Richard Meyer said agents are
required to enforce drug laws.

Americans for Medical Rights has pushed medicinal 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.