Pubdate: Fri, 10 Sep 2004
Source: Arlington Advocate, The (MA)
Copyright: 2004 Community Newspapers,sInc.
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/3498
Website: http://www2.townonline.com/arlington/
Author: Roberto Scalese
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

POT QUESTION ON FALL BALLOT IN PARTS OF EAST ARLINGTON

Voters in Anne Paulsen's legislative district will have their say on 
medical marijuana in November.

The  advisory question would ask the district's legislators to support 
legislation to  allow marijuana use for chronically ill patients, asking 
should the senator or  representative "vote in favor of legislation that 
would allow seriously ill  patients, with their doctor's written 
recommendation, to possess and grow small  amounts of marijuana for their 
personal medical use." According  to Steve Epstein of the Massachusetts 
Cannabis Reform Coalition, helping the  sick should take priority over 
punishing pot smokers. "We want  people who have a doctor's recommendation 
to use (marijuana) as a medication," said Epstein. "We hope the legislature 
sees the wisdom of adopting a law that's  similar to ones in California, 
Washington state, Maine, Colorado." This is  only the third district in the 
state targeted for the medical marijuana  question. Over the past three 
years, 52 districts have passed advisory questions  supportive of 
decriminalizing marijuana. Epstein said the intent is to keep the issue 
alive and gather enough campaign funding for a statewide question  campaign.

"It takes  close to $2 million for a statewide ballot," said Epstein. 
Decriminalization  is different than legalizing marijuana use, said 
Epstein. The difference with  decriminalization is anyone caught smoking 
dope would be given a ticket, like a  traffic ticket, instead of being 
hauled off to jail. Paulsen  said marijuana use for sick citizens should 
not be a crime. "We should  try to give every advantage we can to people 
who have some kind of ailment that requires relief," said Paulsen, who 
represents Precincts 2 and 4 in Arlington.

Paulsen  said she has co-signed legislation to allow marijuana as 
medication prescribed  by a physician.

Epstein  said the reluctance to even discuss medical marijuana or marijuana 
decriminalization at the state level is based in fear and because of the 
drug war. "You would  have to ask the Legislature about that. The district 
attorneys especially tell  them, 'No, we have to treat them as criminals,'" 
said Epstein. "They're afraid."

Epstein  said he feels most state representatives and senators are 
reasonable and  understand decriminalization and especially medical 
marijuana use should be  passed, but can't say so for fear of retribution 
from political enemies and  district attorneys.

"If you get  100 of them alone and say, 'I won't tell anyone about this," 
they'd say, 'Yeah,  we should give them a ticket, like in other states,'" 
said Epstein.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D