Pubdate: Mon, 04 Feb 2002
Source: Oregonian, The (OR)
Copyright: 2002 The Oregonian
Contact:  http://www.oregonlive.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324
Author: Krissy Oechslin

A CRITICAL SAFETY NET FOR PATIENTS

Any need for adjustments to Oregon's medical marijuana program should not 
be interpreted to mean that the program is a failure ("State hedges 
deadline for medical marijuana verification," Jan. 15).

Regardless of whether in-person visits are required, the law is working; 
more than 1,800 state-certified patients and perhaps 1,000 caregivers are 
protected from arrest for medical marijuana, just as voters intended in 
November 1998. The Marijuana Policy Project is lobbying for Oregon-style 
laws in Maryland and Vermont, and New Mexico is set to enact such a law 
this month.

Even if the details need a little fine-tuning, such as the proposal to 
require in-person visits, Oregon's medical marijuana program still provides 
a critical safety net to patients who need the relief that marijuana can bring.

KRISSY OECHSLIN Assistant director of communications Marijuana Policy 
Project Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom