Pubdate: 29 Sep 1997 Source: Skagit Valley Herald Contact: Doctors oppose drug plan Yakima The state's largest physician group has opposed a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for medicinal use but endorsed a proposed handguncontrol measure. The votes, which were expected, came Saturday at the Washington State Medical Association's House of Delegates annual meeting at the Yakima Convention Center. The voice votes reflected recommendations made earlier this week by committees studying the issues. Initiative 685, the medicinaldrug measure, is sponsored by Dr. Rob Killian, a Tacoma physician, but has lacked general support within the medical association. The handgun measure, Initiative 676, was drafted by physicians who want to decrease the number of firearmrelated injuries and deaths statewide. The initiative would require all pistols to be equipped with triggerlocks, and all handgun owners to pass a safety test. "This initiative, and the WSMA's endorsement of it, are not 'antigun,'" said Seattle physician Roy Farrell. "It is proresponsible gun ownership."