Pubdate: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 Source: Columbia Daily Tribune (MO) Copyright: 2003 Columbia Daily Tribune Contact: http://www.showmenews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/91 Author: Liz Heitzman Note: Prints the street address of LTE writers. POT ISSUE ELICITS CLASH OF INTERESTS Proposition 1 Focus Of Contentious Forum At one point during the League of Women Voters' debate on Proposition 1, the ordinance that would soften Columbia's marijuana ordinances, the discussion turned to whether using marijuana promotes a healthy diet. Don Shrubshell photo Lt. Ed Moses of the Missouri Highway Patrol talks last night about the dangers of marijuana as Proposition 1 proponent Anthony Johnson makes notes during a League of Women Voters forum. Lt. Ed Moses of the Missouri Highway Patrol said that those who want marijuana legalized for medicinal use often argue that it helps stimulate appetite for cancer and AIDS patients. But under the influence of marijuana, Moses said, people get "the munchies." "When you get the munchies, you don't crave nutritious Power Bars or steaks and salads," he said. "You crave junk food. That's not compassion, that's cruel." Moses spoke in reference to a provision of the April 8 ballot measure in Columbia that would make possession of up to 35 grams of marijuana a municipal offense similar to a traffic ticket and allow "seriously ill" persons to obtain and use marijuana if recommended by a doctor. Sarah Duff, communications director for the organized group that supports the initiative, asked Moses how he would know what people under the influence of marijuana crave. Moses shot back that he had never used marijuana but that he had observed the devastation the drug had wrought on people's lives. Moses' adversary, University of Missouri-Columbia law student Anthony Johnson, responded, "I have never seen a study or seen why marijuana or any other drug would only direct your appetite toward junk food, and I believe it's been proven marijuana helps with nausea." And so went a portion of the debate last night, during which the main speakers found little common ground and often employed conflicting facts, figures and strong language to make their points. In his opening remarks, Johnson, who drafted the proposed city ordinance, argued that passing the ordinance would free up police resources to go after murderers, rapists and robbers. But Moses said he believes child neglect and abuse would increase if the proposition passes, based on his experience as an undercover narcotics officer. Why should voters allow marijuana use to skirt existing law and regulatory processes, Moses asked. "What other medicine do we hold a vote for?" Rose Wibbenmeyer, a city prosecutor, asked how the legal system would be expected to deal with the revenue shortfall if fines were reduced to $25 for first-time offenders from the rate of $200 to $300. Money would be saved in not taking offenders to jail, Johnson said. Columbia attorney Dan Viets, a longtime proponent of relaxing marijuana laws who helped get Proposition 1 off the ground, said, "That the city court budget is depending on fines to support it is an issue in itself." The discussion did not change Eve Pearson's mind. "After hearing the discussion tonight, I feel even more against it," said Pearson, who is concerned that passing the proposed ordinance would send a message of drug tolerance to youths. "I just have a very strong concern that people are going to be complacent and not understand the need to get out and vote against this." Pearson said she identified with many arguments presented by Moses, who said that the measure would ultimately lead to more social ills and increased usage. But Amanda Broz, 23, an MU graduate student, said she believed the measure is "something good to support." "I heard a lot of conflicting facts here tonight," she said, "and I think you can sway the facts any way that suits your argument. I think" Moses "used a lot of rhetoric typical of the war on drugs." Broz said she believed Johnson presented a common-sense approach to drug law reform. Before the debate on Proposition 1, Columbia City Council candidates from the Second and Sixth wards fielded questions from the audience. A question about using "green power" - or electricity from wind-powered, solar or other generators - drew distinctions among the candidates. In the Sixth Ward race, Brian Ash said that people should be able to purchase green power if they are willing to pay extra. Ben Orzeske said green power shouldn't be a priority in tight fiscal times. Austin Hake said Columbia should set the standard and buy "green" power, as long as it is not "incredibly expensive." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens