cannabisnews.com: Oregon To Vote on Easing Medical Marijuana Use Oregon To Vote on Easing Medical Marijuana Use Posted by CN Staff on July 02, 2004 at 18:21:06 PT By Teresa Carson Source: Reuters Portland, Ore. -- Oregon voters will decide this fall whether to make medical marijuana more readily available after an initiative to expand an existing law gained enough signatures on Friday to be placed on the ballot. The ballot measure would let patients possess up to 1 pound of marijuana, up from 3 ounces under a law passed in 1999. It also would create a system of dispensaries that could legally sell pot to patients. "This initiative will create a regulated supply of medical marijuana so that patients and their caregivers can safely and reliably get their medicine," said John Sajo, director of Voter Power and a chief petitioner. Initiative supporters turned in 28,500 signatures on Friday. The ballot measure drew 95,690 signatures submitted in May, but after some were thrown out, supporters canvassed again to ensure they reached the required threshold of 75,630 valid voter signatures. About 9,000 Oregonians have medical cards allowing them to grow and use marijuana for medical purposes. Currently, a patient has to grow his own marijuana or have a caregiver grow it. "Most of these ill people cannot grow their own under the current restrictions," which regulates the number of plants and sets other conditions. The initiative would clarify the caregivers' role by letting them grow pot for as many as 10 medical users. Nine states currently have laws permitting some use of marijuana for medical purposes, Bruce Mirken, communications director of the Marijuana Policy Project said. Another seven states are considering legalizing medical use of marijuana, which is prescribed as a pain reducer or appetite stimulant for patients with multiple sclerosis, cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, and other illnesses. While other controversial issues like legalizing homosexual marriage and redefining marriage as between one man and one woman have drawn fierce resistance, the medical marijuana initiative has created little local debate. "It isn't that controversial among the general population. Most people seem to understand the value of this medicine," Mirken said. The U.S. Supreme Court in late June agreed to decide if a federal law banning marijuana applies to medical use. Two seriously ill California women, whose doctors recommended it for their ailments, sued the U.S. government and the case will be reviewed by the nation's highest court when it begins a new term in October. Source: Reuters Author: Teresa Carson Published: July 2, 2004Copyright: 2004 Reuters Related Articles & Web Sites:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Voter Power Foundation http://www.voterpower.org/Fight Looms Over Medical Marijuana Expansion http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19075.shtmlCampaign Works on '04 Ballot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18189.shtmlMedical Marijuana Backers Seek To Expand http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15477.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 22:19:27 PT Related Article from FoxNews Oregon Ponders New Pot Law Wednesday, July 07, 2004 PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon ballot measure expected to qualify this week would make it legal for medical marijuana (search) users to possess one pound of pot, create state dispensaries and allow nurse practitioners and naturopaths to prescribe it. If passed, a patient could possess six pounds of marijuana legally — spread out, it would be enough to fill two grocery carts. The medical marijuana law on the books there now limits legal possession to three ounces.Backers of the initiative say the current law isn't working for many of the 9,000 cardholders because they're running out of cannabis before they can line up a new supply.Opponents of the measures — which include the Bush administration — argue that these initiatives are less about helping sick people than about legalizing marijuana, especially since only 7 percent of the cardholders in the state are suffering from cancer, glaucoma or AIDS And many in law enforcement say it would create a financial incentive for government to get people hooked on what they insist is a gateway drug.Eight states currently have medical marijuana laws. If Oregon voters pass the initiative, it would be, by far, the most liberal pot law in the United States. Copyright: 2004 FOX News Network, LLC. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by RasAric on July 02, 2004 at 19:53:00 PT Fair and Balanced It really was fair and balanced too; especially for something coming from FOX news. It was just a blurb about Oregon ammending it's CURRENT medical mrijuana law. The newswoman spoke about it without cracking a smile or applying any load of sarcasm. She presented it as a legitimate topic. Coming from FOX I would say I am surprised at the non-bias presentation. Maybe the mainstream can handle it with a little media spin. Still keeping my guard up though... [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on July 02, 2004 at 19:40:30 PT Hmmmmm "While other controversial issues like legalizing homosexual marriage and redefining marriage as between one man and one woman have drawn fierce resistance, the medical marijuana initiative has created little local debate."It isn't that controversial among the general population. Most people seem to understand the value of this medicine," Mirken said. "If only we could send flowers to "most people"! Or bake them cookies or something. Just to say Thanks. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment