cannabisnews.com: Drug Initiative Backers Want Penalties Reduced





Drug Initiative Backers Want Penalties Reduced
Posted by FoM on September 23, 1999 at 18:31:47 PT
Source: Arizona Central
Backers of an initiative that allowed Arizona doctors to prescribe marijuana and other illicit drugs are considering a new drive to get voters to reduce penalties for possessing marijuana. 
But first they want to gauge Arizonans' receptiveness to new drug laws. "We're like politicians - driven by the polls," said John Sperling, the millionaire University of Phoenix founder who has funded medical drug campaigns in six states. "If any item on that ballot doesn't have 55 to 60 percent (support), it don't have legs. It'll be dropped." Among the issues initiative supporters are considering for the 2000 ballot are: asking voters to reduce marijuana possession from a felony to a misdemeanor; expanding drug treatment programs; and providing a legal source of medical marijuana. Under the act approved by voters in 1996, sick people can possess marijuana and illegal drugs with a prescription. The act is silent on where and from whom sick people get the drug. Officials who oppose decriminalization said they're not surprised initiative backers would push to further legitimize illicit drugs. "Their objective in the long term wasn't just to medicalize drugs," said Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley, who crusaded against the 1996 act "And that wasn't just marijuana, it was all of them that they wanted to decriminalize." Romley and other conservative politicians objected to the 1996 Drug Medicalization, Prevention and Control Act in part because it was a grab-bag of policies. The act legalized any drug for a sick Arizonan who had two doctors' prescriptions. It also set up treatment and education programs, and stiffened penalties for those who commit crimes while on drugs. The Legislature thought Arizonans didn't understand the act when they approved it by a 2-1 margin. So in 1998, lawmakers tried to get voters to repeal it. Voters just reaffirmed the law.Associated PressSept. 23, 1999 Copyright 1999, Arizona Central
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Post Comment


Name: Optional Password: 
E-Mail: 
Subject: 
Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]
Link URL: 
Link Title: