Pubdate: Sat, 21 Aug 2010
Source: Register-Guard, The (OR)
Copyright: 2010 The Register-Guard
Page: B1
Contact: http://www.registerguard.com/web/opinion/#contribute-a-letter
Website: http://www.registerguard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/362
Author: David Steves, The Register-Guard
Referenced: The ballot measure 
http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/irr/2010/028text.pdf
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Measure+74
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/dispensaries
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)

PANEL ENDORSES POT ISSUE ON BALLOT

Another Group Opposes the Crime Mandatory-Sentence Proposal; Both Are 
on November Ballot

SALEM - A panel of 24 Oregon voters on Friday wrapped up a week of 
reviewing the medical marijuana initiative by narrowly endorsing the measure.

The Citizens' Initiative Review panel on Measure 74 voted 13-11 in 
support of the proposal on the November ballot that would create a 
state-regulated network of medical marijuana dispensaries.

An earlier panel working under the same framework last week came out 
with a much more unified vote - 21-3 - in opposition to ballot 
Measure 73, which would set mandatory minimum sentences for repeat 
drunken-driving and sex-crime convictions.

The two Citizens' Initiative Review panels were created by the 
nonpartisan Healthy Democracy Oregon. The 2009 Legislature passed a 
law allowing their findings to go into the Oregon Voters' Pamphlet, 
which reaches every voting household in the state.

This week's pot-initiative panel broadly agreed on several "key 
findings" about the measure, including that "the language of the 
measure lacks clarity on regulation, operation, and enforcement," and 
that the proposed dispensary program "is financially self-sustaining 
and may provide funds for research."

The narrow majority that voted in favor of Measure 74 concluded that 
it would create "a safe, compassionate and prompt access program for 
Oregon medical marijuana patients, introduces regulation, and is 
financially sound."

The minority of 11 panelists who opposed the measure drafted a 
summary of their position: "Measure 74, a thinly veiled attempt to 
legalize marijuana, has a high probability of being abused!"

Panelist Melissa Norgren said she went back and forth throughout the 
week as she read through advocates' and opponents' materials, 
listened to their presentations, and questioned experts who were 
called to weigh in on the proposal.

"The fact that it came down so evenly shows what a difficult measure 
it is," said Norgren, a Portland teacher who served as spokeswoman 
for the majority who supported Measure 74. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake