cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Backers Seek To Expand Program Medical Marijuana Backers Seek To Expand Program Posted by CN Staff on February 15, 2003 at 08:18:36 PT By Peter Prengaman, The Associated Press Source: Associated Press Proponents of Oregon's medical marijuana law filed an initiative Friday to overhaul and expand the existing program, a move opponents say is a backdoor attempt to legalize the drug. Backers say they want to make it easier for patients to qualify, increase the legal possession limit and create more places to get the drug. "Qualified patients have nowhere to get their medicine," said John Sajo, the lead petitioner. "And many are still getting arrested." Since voters passed the law in 1998, Oregon has became one of nine states to permit medicinal use of the plant. The law allows doctors to approve marijuana for specific maladies like cancer, glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, severe pain or nausea, seizures or muscle spasms. Backers of the initiative will have until July 1, 2004, to get the necessary 100,000 signatures to send it to voters in the general election. Besides the traditional opposition from law enforcement, the measure may be challenged by the Bush administration, proponents said. More than 4,000 Oregonians have qualified to use the plant, which they must grow themselves or get from a certified caregiver. By giving doctors more leeway to prescribe it, proponents of the changes estimate that 50,000 people might be able to use the drug for medical reasons. The measure would also create statewide pick-up points regulated by the Health Department, and increase the possession limit from three ounces to a pound at any one time. That possession limit would be six pounds for patients who only grow one crop annually. Opponents of the initiative say it reeks of drug abuse and ulterior motives. "This is a dodge, an attempt to legalize marijuana," said Clatsop County District Attorney Joshua Marquis. Marquis says the current law is already too lenient. He says allowing someone to possess six pounds of the drug, worth over $100,000 on the street, will make policing it even more difficult. "My cops already tell me that every time they bust a drug house, which has drugs like methamphetamines and cocaine, everyone in there pulls out their marijuana card" as justification, Marquis said. Patients say the plant alleviates pain better than any other drug. "It works within seconds," said Sherry Fentress, 50, who smokes marijuana for muscle spasms in her legs. "And if you get too high, just eat some food and you'll come down." Fentress, from Portland, said she has had trouble getting adequate supplies from designated community providers. For example, once her grower smoked and sold the whole stash, leaving her without medication. She said regulated dispensaries would solve the problem. Backers say a majority of Oregonians support the existing law, but they know convincing them to expand it won't be easy. "If the public perceives that this will make it more accessible for everybody, it will be tough politically," said Ken Kirkland, who uses the drug for many afflictions that stem from breaking his neck 11 years ago. Source: Associated PressAuthor: Peter Prengaman, The Associated Press Published: February 15, 2003Copyright: 2003 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Hemp & Cannabis Foundationhttp://www.thc-foundation.org/Center Supports Medical Marijuana Use http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15473.shtmlPatients Push Marijuana Reformhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12712.shtmlState Tightens Marijuana Policieshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10047.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by Dr Ganj on June 28, 2004 at 12:36:13 PT 6 pounds 100K? Oh please. When will the fuzz learn math? Let's see, 6 pounds 100,000 = 16,666.66/lb. Again, divided by 16 = 1041.66 per ounce! Now what strain, and where on this planet is this rotten, lying pig thinking that marijuana is $1041.00 per ounce! It might be one day if they continue their evil war on a beautiful plant. Wow do I hate sheriffs, police, jailers, judges, bailiffs, prosecutors, probabation officers, meter maids, drug screeners, and all the other filthy ogres living off of the misery created by the drug war. See you all in jail..... http://www.cdc.state.ca.us/InstitutionsDiv/INSTDIV/facilities/fac_prison_SQ.asp [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 15, 2003 at 17:00:09 PT mayan, Slide Show So Far 277 Pictures I was so impressed with the protests around the world. Maybe Washington won't listen but my faith in humanity has been restored. I know now that the world is full of people who want to live in harmony with others and want to give peace a chance.http://news.yahoo.com/news?g=events/iraq/102602iraqprotests&a=&tmpl=sl&ns=&l=1&e=1&a=0 [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by mayan on February 15, 2003 at 16:47:16 PT FoM... I'm amazed at the amount of coverage CNN has given to the world-wide protests! Hats off to CNN! They also gave decent coverage to the Ed Rosenthal trial. The people of the world have spoken. FOX News is a complete joke and they were put to shame today! I call it the "War Channel". FOX News - "All War, All the Time"FOX News - "Fair & Balanced"(balanced between fascism & totalitarianism!) Millions join global anti-war protests: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2765215.stmIn pictures: World rallies against war - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2765673.stm For great coverage of all the protests, go to... http://whatreallyhappened.com/ US TERROR ALERT A 'HOAX' http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-12246176,00.htmlKaminski's Best 9/11 Sites - 4th Edition: http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00024.htm9/11 Prior Knowledge/Government Involvement Archive: http://www.propagandamatrix.com/archiveprior_knowledge9/11 Truth Alliance: http://unansweredquestions.org/alliance/index.htmlMake No Mistake About It - 9/11 Was An Inside Job(The lost voxnyc article that the federales shut down!): http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:dv2JBpTIZHUC:www.voxnyc.com/archives/00000076.htm+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by freedom fighter on February 15, 2003 at 12:38:16 PT $16,666.66 per pound? 6 pounds worth 100 thousands dollars?I wondered what strain he is talkin about...ff [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by afterburner on February 15, 2003 at 10:02:03 PT: Don't Let Prohibitionists Drive a Wedge between Us "What is it about marijuana that, on the one hand, serves up so much fear and anger among its denouncers, the proponents of reefer madness, and on the other hand, so much passion, commitment among its users?"Louis Silverstein,Ph.D. Dept. of Liberal Education, Columbia College Chicago, talks about his new book:Deep Spirit & Great Heart: Living In Marijuana Consciousness http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1771.htmlMedical cannabis users and spiritual cannabis users should not be at war with each other. "United we stand, divided we fall." -Aesopego destruction or ego transcendence, that is the question. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 15, 2003 at 09:04:47 PT About The War Protests I wanted to mention that I doubt there will be much Cannabis related news today because of the anti war protests being held around the world. Here are a couple links to pictures and articles. I hope the news keeps showing and interviewing people. The people are finally being heard! Millions rally against Iraq war: http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/02/15/sprj.irq.protests.main/index.htmlProtest Pictures: http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news?p=anti+war+protests&c=news_photos [ Post Comment ] Post Comment