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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom