Pubdate: Sun, 16 Jul 2000
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2000 The Denver Post
Contact:  1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202
Fax: (303) 820.1502
Website: http://www.denverpost.com/
Forum: http://www.denverpost.com/voice/voice.htm
Author: Al Knight

HERE'S A CHANCE TO SAY NO

July 16, 2000 - Six states already permit the use of marijuana for 
medicinal purposes and many predict Colorado will join the group. A 
constitutional amendment allowing physicians to recommend the use of smoked 
marijuana is on the state's November ballot and early opinion polls show 
3-to-1 support for it.

The argument for it has superficial appeal. Why not let those who are 
seriously ill use the drug if a doctor says it may relieve pain, nausea or 
other discomfort?

Indeed that argument is so appealing it nearly handcuffed opposition groups 
in the places it has been debated proving once again that the simple 
argument beats one that is more complex.

Thankfully the Colorado opposition, which includes a number of highly 
respected medical groups, has developed an appealing counter-argument and 
thinks it can raise enough money to publicize it.

A good argument, and money to circulate it, remain the two indispensable 
requirements for a successful opposition campaign.

The Colorado campaign against the medical marijuana initiative is being run 
by Coloradans Against Legalizing Marijuana and its members include a number 
of highly respected medical figures, including Dr. Joel Karlin, former head 
of the Colorado Medical Society.

The theme of the opposition is "mad medicine, bad law." CALM will argue:

- - There are better and safer drugs that contain the same chemical (THC) 
found in smoked marijuana. These drugs have advantages. Most importantly, 
the dosage is accurate whereas street marijuana can vary greatly in 
strength and purity. Secondly, the patient need not either grow the drug 
personally or purchase it in the illegal marketplace, as provided under the 
Colorado measure.

- - Out-of-state money will figure prominently in the proponents' campaign. 
Early reports confirm this and add credence to the charge that the 
legalization of marijuana for medical purposes is simply the tip of an 
iceberg, the larger goal being to legalize it generally.

- - Groups organized to represent the very patients who supposedly will most 
benefit from medical marijuana oppose the initiative. CALM will run ads 
announcing the support of the American Medical Association and Colorado 
Medical Society, among others.

- - Depending on how courts interpret the Colorado initiative, employers 
might be required to let some employees work under the influence of 
marijuana. This point may seem exaggerated. What it refers to is a 
provision in the initiative that says that nothing in the act "shall 
require any employer to accommodate the medical use of marijuana in any 
work place."

The reason this is not entirely reassuring is that federal law normally 
trumps state law and it is not inconceivable that an employee, acting under 
the Americans With Disabilities Act, would claim the right to smoke 
marijuana while at work.

- - Because there are other and safer ways to approach the medical problems, 
the medical marijuana initiative should be viewed as what it is, a part of 
a larger plan to legalize its use.

These will not necessarily be winning arguments in the face of a really 
well-financed campaign featuring television ads of appealing patients 
pleading for the mere opportunity to smoke marijuana for medical reasons.

The opponents know they can't win if they appear to be unconcerned about 
these patients and their condition. That is why they will often repeat the 
fact that the National Institutes of Health has reviewed this issue and 
reported that crude marijuana adds nothing to currently available medicine 
and in fact may increase the risk to patients.

In the end, however, the winning argument may be the simple desire to avoid 
a conflicted public policy that criminalizes marijuana in some settings, 
permits it in others.

Some supporters of medical marijuana would eagerly resolve this conflict by 
legalizing the drug. The better course is the one CALM has charted, which 
is to avoid exceptions, especially where, as here, they fail on both 
medical and legal grounds. 
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager