Pubdate: Thu, 11 Mar 1999
Date: 03/11/1999
Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK)
Author: Michael Streiffert

The medical marijuana law just went into effect, and it's already
under attack by the very same people who opposed it in the election
last fall. The state constitution says the Legislature can't change a
law passed by referendum for two years. But Sen. Loren Leman wants to
"clarify" the wording of the law for us now. He thinks we were too
stupid to understand what we were voting on, apparently.

His "clarification" will make it almost impossible for sick people to
qualify for medical marijuana by requiring doctors to state that
marijuana is the only drug that will help the patient. It won't matter
that marijuana might be the best drug, it has to be the only drug.

This would end the medical use of marijuana in Alaska, which is just
what Loren Leman wants. He opposed the initiative last fall and
apparently can't stand losing. Even if it means a lower standard of
medical care for you and me. Loren Leman wants to circumvent the state
constitution and overturn an election at the same time. His actions
aren't just arrogant and condescending, they're also illegal. It's
called malfeasance and it's grounds for impeachment.

Michael Streiffert,
Anchorage