Pubdate: Thu, 10 Oct 2002
Source: Arizona Republic (AZ)
Copyright: 2002 The Arizona Republic
Contact:  http://www.arizonarepublic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Elvia Diaz

HOPEFULS DECRY MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Gubernatorial candidates Janet Napolitano and Matt Salmon put their 
political rivalry aside Wednesday to denounce a medical marijuana ballot 
initiative they believe would promote drug addiction and drain state police 
resources.

The two top contenders joined forces with U.S. drug czar John Walters, who 
was in Arizona to persuade residents to vote against Proposition 203 in 
next month's election. "I'm proud to stand here with Janet Napolitano even 
though we're on a hotly contested race," said Salmon, the Republican 
nominee. "We know that marijuana is a gateway

drug that leads to other drugs like cocaine."

The initiative would require the Arizona Department of Public Safety to 
hand out monthly doses of marijuana to those claming a serious illness and 
carrying a physician's note. The measure also would decriminalize marijuana 
possession of two ounces or less.

Napolitano said homicide and domestic violence have gone up because of drug 
abuse.

"There are some odd aspects to Proposition 203," said Napolitano, the state 
attorney general and Democratic candidate for governor. "Requiring DPS to 
distribute marijuana is nuts."

Walters said those backing the measure are trying to play on people's 
sympathy for the ill to pass a law that would only increase drug problems 
and put a huge financial burden and legal liability on the state.

"The campaign is dishonest," said Walters, speaking to a group of 
elementary pupils and senior citizens in Phoenix. "I don't believe voters 
in Arizona are going to buy a stupid, insulting con like this proposition."

Proponents dismissed the arguments, saying the initiative would save 
Arizona millions of dollars each year by diverting first- and second-time 
drug offenders to treatment instead of locking them up. The war on drugs 
has failed, they argue, and it's time to try other solutions.

"The drug czar doesn't get it that the answer to crime involving drug 
addicts isn't incarceration but treatment," said Grant Woods, a former 
attorney general who supports the measure.

Walters called the measure a real threat, citing statisics that say 
thousands of teens begin using marijuana each year.

"We're sending the wrong message to young people," he said.

But his arguments weren't enough to convince Carolyn Barker, 60, a Phoenix 
resident with breast cancer and severe arthritis.

"Two ounces of marijuana doesn't seem very much," said Barker, who plans to 
vote for the measure because she may have to use the drug to ease her pain.

State officials estimate the measure could cost Arizona as much as $12 
million to set up labs to test confiscated marijuana and then distribute it.

Proponents dispute that amount, saying the cost would be more like $160,000 
annually.
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