Pubdate: Thu, 10 Oct 2002
Source: Arizona Daily Star (AZ)
Copyright: 2002 Pulitzer Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.azstarnet.com/star/today/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/23
Author: Joseph Barrios

DRUG CZAR URGES 'NO' VOTE ON POT PROPOSITION

The nation's drug czar was in Tucson and Phoenix on Wednesday urging voters
to defeat Proposition 203, the "medical marijuana" initiative that would
decriminalize possessing small amounts of the drug.

The measure also would allow people to use marijuana for medicinal purposes
with a doctor's recommendation.

John Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, was
joined by Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall, Sheriff Clarence Dupnik and
Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Salmon on Wednesday at Compass
Healthcare Vida Serena, a residential drug treatment center at 2835 N. Stone
Ave.

Walters and Salmon were joined at a Phoenix press conference by Democratic
gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Janet Napolitano.

Walters spoke about the dangers of marijuana and the problems that Prop. 203
would present if passed by voters. While supporters say they want to help
alleviate suffering from medical conditions, Walters said the real goal is
to legalize drugs.

Proposition 203 calls for the Department of Public Safety to provide up to

2 ounces of free marijuana every month to anyone who has received a doctor's
recommendation. Those same people would be allowed to legally grow two
marijuana plants for their personal use. The measure would decriminalize
possession of marijuana in small amounts.

Walters criticized marijuana use and the ballot measure on several levels.

Millions of people addicted to drugs need treatment, Walters said. Most of
them have a problem with marijuana, he said.

According to a national 2001 survey on drug abuse, more than 8 million
people reported using only marijuana while an additional more than 7 million
people use marijuana in conjunction with at least one other drug.

Today's marijuana, including hybrid variations, is more potent than ever,
Walters said. Research shows that teens who use marijuana are more likely to
use it and other drugs as they get older.

As for arguments that marijuana can treat ailments and help people "feel
better," Walters said there are already drugs commercially available to
treat medical conditions like glaucoma and nausea, including a marijuana
derivative already approved by the federal government.

"It's a kind of general insult to the people of this state that this measure
got on the ballot," Walters said.

He added that it's "cruel and irresponsible" to say marijuana is safe.

But Jeffrey Singer, a Phoenix doctor who supports the measure, said flatly
that marijuana is not addictive. He added that numerous studies have been
conducted indicating that marijuana does have redeeming medical qualities.

He said it's clear that Arizonans want to see a medical marijuana law in
place after they approved similar measures in 1996 and 1998.
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MAP posted-by: Josh