Pubdate: Wed, 23 May 2012
Source: Dickinson Press, The (ND)
Copyright: 2012 The Dickinson Press
Contact:  http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2592
Author: Dale Wetzel

MARIJUANA: IS IT MEDICINAL?

BISMARCK -- Supporters of legalizing medical marijuana in North 
Dakota turned in a proposed initiative Tuesday to put the issue on 
the November ballot.

With voters' approval, the initiative would allow someone who suffers 
from a debilitating illness to use marijuana with a doctor's 
permission. It lists cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, glaucoma 
and other illnesses as examples of debilitating conditions.

The chairman of the initiative effort, state Rep. Steve Zaiser, 
D-Fargo, said he believed people with chronic pain would qualify.

"Marijuana has proven that it has helped people, and doctors will 
testify to that effect," Zaiser said. "I don't want any more North 
Dakotans to suffer unnecessarily."

The 22-page initiative, which was submitted to Secretary of State Al 
Jaeger on Tuesday, would make it legal for North Dakota residents to 
possess up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana for medical purposes. It 
states that those who qualify could obtain the drug from a 
state-licensed dispensary or grow a limited supply for personal use.

Montana and 16 other states already have laws that allow the medical 
use of marijuana, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Voters in South Dakota have rejected medical marijuana initiatives 
twice, most recently in 2010.

North Dakota allows residents to put proposed state laws and 
constitutional amendments directly to a vote if the initiative's 
backers can gather enough support.

To qualify for the general election, the medical marijuana initiative 
will need petition signatures from at least 13,452 eligible North 
Dakota voters. The petitions must be turned in by midnight Aug. 8.

Zaiser said he suffers from chronic pain himself because of nerve 
damage from a series of strokes. He said he has never used marijuana 
as a pain reliever and would like the option of doing so.

The proposed law provides a tight regulatory structure for dispensing 
marijuana, and should not make the drug more readily available, Zaiser said.

The proposed law bars medical marijuana use on school buses and 
grounds, and in jails and prisons. It prohibits smoking marijuana in 
public and does not exempt medical marijuana users from laws against 
driving while impaired.

"It's not going to be a way for young people just to get stoned," 
Zaiser said. "It won't be a gateway into smoking pot. I don't believe 
it will. I'm betting on it, otherwise I wouldn't do this. That's the 
last thing I want."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom