Pubdate: Mon, 25 Jul 2011 Source: Boston Herald (MA) Copyright: 2011 The Boston Herald, Inc Contact: http://news.bostonherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53 Note: Prints only very short LTEs. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) PRO-POT LOBBY RETURNS The folks who brought you out-in-the-open pot-smoking are back! And this time they want you to approve the use of medical marijuana to treat all manner of disease. There is legislation pending on Beacon Hill that would legalize the use of medical marijuana. But if the Legislature doesn't act before next spring, the State House News Service reports that some supporters plan to pursue a ballot campaign. Recall that voters in Massachusetts approved a ballot question in 2008 that decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana, sold on sob stories of desperate people who couldn't find work or kids who couldn't get into college because of a criminal record of drug possession. A civil citation would free those beleaguered souls from their regrettable choices, the argument went. What it really meant was that a couple of teenagers can now spark up a joint in the middle of Commonwealth Avenue and the worst that can happen is they'll get a ticket - that they don't really ever have to get around to paying. It means the odor of burning marijuana isn't enough for police to order people out of a car - even people who happen to also be in the possession of crack cocaine. Yes, from an enforcement perspective, the new law is a nightmare. Supporters say the use of marijuana to alleviate pain associated with cancer, AIDS, hepatitis C and other conditions should be legally sanctioned by the state, and is preferred over the use of powerful, addictive pharmaceuticals (hey, gotta get a shot at Big Pharma in there for good measure!) And frankly their case, while riddled with its own flaws, is more compelling than the decriminalization effort and may have even more popular support. But it's a joke to think that the presence of 18 "official" medical marijuana dispensaries in the state won't increase access to the drug for even the healthiest among us. Voters should take a skeptical view of the next pro-pot ballot campaign. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom