Pubdate: Fri, 21 May 2010
Source: Statesman Journal (Salem, OR)
Copyright: 2010 Statesman Journal
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/QEzJupzz
Website: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/427
Authors: Stacey Barchenger and Peter Wong, Statesman Journal
Cited: Voter Power http://voterpower.org/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)

PETITIONERS SEEK MEDICAL MARIJUANA OUTLETS

Ballot Measure Would Let the State License Dispensaries for the Drug

Advocates of medical marijuana on Thursday submitted 110,000 
signatures, more than the amount required, for a ballot measure to 
allow state-licensed pot dispensaries in Oregon.

The proposed measure would not change the medical conditions under 
the law for which medical marijuana may be used.

If such a measure ever becomes law, Oregon would join California and 
a few other states that allow dispensaries. But supporters of the 
measure argue that reported problems with dispensaries in California 
are precisely what the Oregon measure is trying to avoid. And one 
marijuana reform-minded group says it will remain neutral on the issue.

"We support dispensary programs," said Mike Meno of the national 
Marijuana Policy Project. "For many patients, they are the best way 
to get safe access to their medicine."

The Marijuana Policy Project lobbies at the state and federal levels 
for medical marijuana to be taxed and regulated like alcohol.

California's law allowed for dispensaries but left regulation to 
local jurisdictions, Meno said.

"Especially in states where we're pushing for new medical marijuana 
laws, they get a bad rap from stories they hear out of California; 
that there's more dispensaries there than Starbucks," Meno said. A 
state-regulated program could avoid a flood of dispensaries, he said.

Oregon's original medical marijuana measure, approved by voters in 
1998, allows only patients with state-issued cards, or their 
caregivers, to grow a specified number of mature plants. The current 
number of mature plants is six. The law did not allow marijuana 
sales, which would have conflicted with federal law.

"But now that the Obama administration has indicated that they will 
allow states to regulate medical marijuana, Oregon needs to create a 
regulated system so every patient can access quality controlled 
medicine," said John Sajo, director of Voter Power, the group that 
organized the petition-signature campaign.

Fourteen states have medical marijuana programs. States that will 
soon allow regulated dispensaries include Rhode Island, Maine, 
Washington D.C. and New Jersey, according to the Marijuana Policy Project.

Some medical marijuana patients are concerned that state-regulated 
dispensaries could limit their right to grow their own. Others worry 
that dispensaries would not be able to keep up with demand.

Madeline Martinez, executive director of Oregon NORML, said that as a 
patient she worries the state may try to prohibit her from growing 
the plants the way she likes them: organic.

But the state chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of 
Marijuana Laws is neutral on the issue.

"We don't feel that (it) really makes a significant change in the 
lives of patients - it doesn't go far enough," Martinez said. "It 
doesn't protect our employment rights or from losing our children in 
custody battles."

It regulates the market, she said, but won't affect the cardholders 
who can grow their own medicine or get it through other avenues. It 
wont change cost or quality, Martinez said.

"It may be easier for some people, but pretty much anyone can go out 
and buy marijuana today," she said. "If people want to get marijuana, 
they can get it anywhere."

The state Public Health Division, which oversees the medical 
marijuana program, hasn't yet evaluated dispensaries.

"We have not studied the issue of dispensaries because we are neutral 
when it comes to ballot measures," said Dr. Grant Higginson, who 
oversees the medical marijuana program.

"If there are dispensaries for medical marijuana, it is our 
understanding at this point that we would be required to create some 
regulatory framework in regard to licensing and monitoring grow 
sites," he said.

[sidebar]

INITIATIVE

The medical marijuana initiative is called Initiative Petition 28. To 
qualify for the Nov. 2 general-election ballot, supporters must 
submit at least 82,769 valid signatures by the filing deadline of 
July 2. State Elections Division officials then will have 30 days to 
verify signatures.

Supporters submitted their signatures by an early deadline of Friday. 
If a preliminary check by officials shows that they have fallen short 
of the required number, backers can submit additional signatures by 
the July 2 final deadline.

The petition will receive a new ballot measure designation if it 
qualifies for a statewide vote. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake