cannabisnews.com: Proposition 203: Decriminalizes Marijuana Proposition 203: Decriminalizes Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on October 25, 2002 at 08:19:49 PT By Xavier Zaragoza, The Daily Dispatch Source: Douglas Dispatch As a result, Proposition 203 has created much controversy among those who believe that medicinal marijuana is a benefits to its patients and those who believe that it will promote rampant drug use.Proposition 203 decriminalizes marijuana possession for personal use; $250 civil fine; requires state to distribute marijuana free of charge upon physician's written documentation; increases maximum penalty for violent crimes committed under the influence of drugs; eliminates mandatory minimum sentences; requires parole if a person is convicted of personal possession of controlled substance unless there was danger to the public. Proposition 203 would decriminalize the possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, marijuana drug paraphernalia or two or fewer marijuana plants if the possession is only for personal use. It would subject the possessor to a civil fine of $250 for a first or second offense or a $750 for a third or subsequent offense within a two-year period. A judge could waive the civil fine if the person completes a court approved drug education program.This proposition would require the Department of Public Safety to provide not more than two ounces of marijuana free of charge to each person who is qualified to use marijuana for medicinal purposes.It would require any law agency that seizes marijuana that was grown, cultivated or produced in Arizona to retain the marijuana and forward it to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.The distribution to qualified persons would be limited to not more than two ounces of marijuana with in a 30-day period. It would also establish criminal penalties for any person who uses or attempts to use false identification and for any person who possess, uses, sells, delivers or transports marijuana outside of Arizona or delivers the marijuana to another person who intends to possess, use, sell, deliver or transport marijuana outside of Arizona.Proposition 203 would require the Arizona Department of Health Services to establish and maintain a program for the issuance of registry identification cards to any Arizona resident who is at least 18 years of age, who pays a fee of $50, and who provides written documentation from the person's attending physician which states that the person has been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition and that the medical use of marijuana may mitigate the symptoms or affects of the person's condition.Proposition 203 defines "debilitating medical condition" to mean cancer, glaucoma, positive statues for HIV or AIDS or treatment for these conditions or treatment for conditions that produces, for a specific patient, one or more of the following: cachexia, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, including but limited to seizures cause by epilepsy or persistent muscles spasm, including but not limited to multiple sclerosis or any other condition adopted by the Department.It would increase the maximum sentence by 50 percent for any person who is convicted of intentionally and knowingly committing a violent crime while under the influence of a controlled substance. It would also abolish the mandatory sentence or fine for any conviction of a certain drug offense.It would require parole or community supervision for prisoners who have been convicted of personal possession or use of a controlled substance and who are not concurrently serving another sentence.Proposition 203 specifies that property seized in relation to a drug offense may not be forfeited unless the owner of the property is convicted of the drug offense and the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that either the property was instrumental in committing or facilitating the offense or was the proceeds of the offense.Argument "For" Proposition 203 When Arizonans voted for a measure called Drug Medicalization, Prevention and Control Act of 1996, they realized that drug use and abuse is primarily a medical rather than a criminal problem.They required treatment rather than prison for first and second time, non-violent offenders. Doctors are among the strongest supporters of this new approach. A 2001 Arizona Supreme Court report showed that referral to treatment rather than incarceration was yielding positive results. Of the more than 5,000 non-violent drug offenders referred to treatment, almost two-thirds successfully completed the program, thus saving the Arizona's treasury about $6.7 million.Argument "Against" Proposition 203 Proposition 203 is not about relieving pain for sick people. It's about allowing drug traffickers to keep their ill-gotten gains. Currently, people suffering from serious or terminal illness can legally obtain marijuana to help relieve their pain. This proposition allows drug dealers to keep their ill-gotten gains by requiring a drug conviction, not of the drug dealer, but of the property owner, before forfeiture is possible. Note: The use of illegal drugs has always been a hotly contested issue. Complete Title: Proposition 203: Decriminalizes Personal Amount of MarijuanaSource: Douglas Dispatch, The (AZ)Author: Xavier Zaragoza, The Daily DispatchCopyright: 2002 Douglas DispatchContact: douglasdispatch earthlink.netWebsite: http://www.douglasdispatch.com/Related Articles:Prop 203 Requires State to Give Away Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14494.shtmlPot Plan a Smoke Screen, Foes Say http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14466.shtmlDrug Czar Urges 'No' Vote On Pot Proposition http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14424.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #10 posted by FoM on October 25, 2002 at 13:40:23 PT Dr. Russo Congratulations on your new job. That's wonderful and you will do a great job. I have no doubt at all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Ethan Russo MD on October 25, 2002 at 13:31:21 PT: Thanks, Dan You have nicely articulated my feelings.I am often accused of being in too much of a hurry. This event is one of the reasons why. By genetics, I should live to be 90-plus, arthritic and ornery, but you cannot count on such things. I feel an enormous pressure to try to make a difference on the cannabis issue now, not in a generation.I was recently made the faculty advisor to the campus branches of NORML and SSDP, and told the attendees that if someone had told me back in 1970 when I was in college that cannabis would still be illegal today, I would have thought they were crazy. I do not want them to have the same experience when they are middle-aged, and wondering how the political climate could still be so antediluvian. Our warriors fall, others take their place. We must persevere for their sake, and that of those who follow us. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Dan B on October 25, 2002 at 12:31:41 PT: In Memoriam: Paul Wellstone I have followed this good man's career for the past couple of years, and I have always felt that he was the nation's best hope for real change and real peace. He was the leader against Plan Colombia, and he even managed to rally support even from Barbara Boxer, who first ran as a Diane Feinstein clone. He always spoke out for those who no longer have a voice in this country: the poor, the infirm, the disenfranchised. I never met the man, but I have seen him speak passionately on C-SPAN and news programs many times. He exemplified true compassion--a rarity in Congress, and a rarity in politics in general. I'll miss his presence. Now is the time to pray (or hope, if you don't believe in prayer) not only for his family, to whom I extend my deepest sympathy, but also for our nation. He cannot be replaced as a person, but may his seat in the Senate be filled by someone who has equal compassion and equal resolve.Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 25, 2002 at 12:26:05 PT Prime We lost a good person. It is our loss. When a couple dies together that loves one another that is the best way to go. I know that's how I feel. So forgive me when I look at this thru the eyes from the great beyond. He will be greeted with: Well done good and faithful servant. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Prime on October 25, 2002 at 12:20:42 PT The Carnahan effect... I know its a bit soon after the tragedy, but I'll bet a nickel Paul Wellstone wins the election and Jesse Ventura has to appoint a Senator.This will be the second time in a row that a dead Democratic Senator has won a race. Of course, I would have rather Ashcroft been in the Senate than where he is now. But I do get some enjoyment knowing that he lost an election to dead man.Heart felt wishes to the Wellstone family. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on October 25, 2002 at 11:53:06 PT More Information on Senator Paul Wellstone Senator, family members killed in Minnesota plane crash EVELETH, Minnesota (CNN) -- Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone, his wife and a daughter died Friday in a small plane crash near Eveleth, Minnesota, Democratic sources said. The sources said three staff members and two crew members also died in the crash. The plane went down in a wooded area about seven miles east of Eveleth-Virginia Municipal Airport. Officials said bad weather was reported in the area, and the last contact with the plane was at 10:20 a.m. when the plane was about two miles from the Eveleth airport. Choking back tears, a Senate colleague expressed his sympathy. "He was such a good man, and his wife too," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont. "All of these people had families and they had friends and this is a horrible, horrible thing." Snipped: http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/10/25/plane.crash.minn/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 25, 2002 at 11:23:24 PT Here are a Few Pictures http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news?p=paul+wellstone&c=news_photosI didn't see this so I posted what I found out on this thread. Sad day for us.http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread14554.shtml#21 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by p4me on October 25, 2002 at 11:20:33 PT Holy Fucking Shit Yahoo says Wellstone was killed in the plane crash: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=519&ncid=519&e=1&u=/ap/plane_down [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by MikeEEEEE on October 25, 2002 at 11:16:23 PT Wellstone The scrubs will gain power of the Senate.Interesting times we live in.... [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Robbie on October 25, 2002 at 10:47:13 PT PLANE USED BY WELLSTONE CRASHED no word whether he was on it. Holy fucking SHIT!!!http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2002/oct/25/102506875.html [ Post Comment ] Post Comment