Pubdate: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 Source: Arizona Daily Sun (AZ) Contact: 2002 Arizona Daily Sun Website: http://www.azdailysun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1906 Author: Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/area/Arizona Note: For the Legislative Analysis of Proposition 203 go to http://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext/45leg/I112002DMPCA.pdf PROSECUTORS VOICE OPPOSITION TO EASING STATE'S MARIJUANA LAWS PHOENIX -- County prosecutors kicked off the campaign to block further liberalization of state marijuana laws. In separate press conferences, Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley and Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall came out strongly against Proposition 203. That measure would allow those with a doctor's recommendation to have and use marijuana and decriminalize possession of small amounts of the drug for everyone else. Romley said the real issue is that the initiative goes far beyond the issue of letting doctors prescribe otherwise illegal drugs, subjects approved by voters in 1996 and ratified in 1998. "This is not about providing marijuana to the ill and dying," Romley said. "It's about legalization." Existing law permits doctors to prescribe marijuana to terminal and seriously ill patients. But doctors have balked after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency threatened to revoke their prescription writing privileges. This year's measure requires only a doctor's recommendation. But it goes beyond that, allowing anyone with such a note to get free marijuana from the stash of seized drugs from the state Department of Public Safety. "Our seniors don't get their drugs for free," noted Barnett Lotstein, an aide to Romley. Anyway, he said, there are no procedures for DPS to test the drugs to see if they are tainted with pesticides, leading to possible liability if someone who gets state-provided pot becomes ill. Those without a prescription could still have their drugs seized. But the maximum penalty for possession of two ounces or less would be $250. Romley said he would support the medical use of marijuana if it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "I just don't think medicine should be decided at the ballot box," he said. Both events also featured Joe Garagiola Jr., vice president and general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Garagiola said he and Jerry Colangelo, managing partner of the team, are "concerned about anything that would make, in this case, marijuana more accessible, and specifically more accessible to kids." Garagiola said there is no mixed message in the Diamondbacks seeking to block medical use of marijuana and the fact that major league baseball allows its players to use androstenedione, banned by most other sports. The over-the-counter dietary supplement boosts testosterone levels. "Baseball has had a policy in place for many years, in the minor leagues, that allows for testing for a whole range of drugs," he said. Garagiola said owners have been pushing for "some version of that" in the majors but the issue is tied up in contract negotiations with the players. The drug, known as "andro," remains permitted in baseball even though it is banned by the Olympics, the National Football League, professional tennis tours as well as the National College Athletic Association. Sam Vagenas, who is heading the pro-203 campaign, defended having the state provide the drug to those with a doctor's permission. He said it makes more sense than forcing these people to find it on the street. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk (Van)