Pubdate: Thu, 20 Apr 2000
Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)
Copyright: 2000 Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  400 W. Colfax, Denver, CO 80204
Website: http://www.denver-rmn.com/
Author: Lynn Bartels, Denver Rocky Mountain News Capitol Bureau

2 DOCTORS, ATTORNEY FIGHT PLAN TO LET PHYSICIANS PRESCRIBE POT

On second thought, maybe they shouldn't have called themselves a 
"grass-roots group."

Two doctors and a former U.S. attorney have teamed up to fight a ballot 
initiative in November that would legalize smoking marijuana for medicinal 
purposes. Dr. Frank Sargent and Dr. Joel Karlin have formed Coloradans 
Against Legalizing Marijuana, and asked former U.S. Attorney Mike Norton to 
serve as treasurer and counsel. Norton practices law in Englewood.

They are urging Coloradans to vote against Amendment 11. "It's bad medicine 
and it's bad law," said Sargent, who has practiced in the metro area for 30 
years.

Supporters of the initiative tried to get it on the 1998 ballot, but the 
former secretary of state erroneously ruled they lacked enough valid 
signatures. After a court battle and a recount, the initiative was put on 
the 2000 ballot.

The proposal would allow physicians to authorize marijuana for patients 
suffering from cancer and other painful diseases.

Martin Chilcutt, 66, a retired psychologist and community volunteer, led 
the fight to put the marijuana initiative on the ballot.
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