Pubdate: Sun, 12 Aug 2012
Source: Albany Democrat-Herald (OR)
Copyright: 2012 Lee Enterprises
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/HPOp5PfB
Website: http://www.democratherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/7
Author: Kyle Odegard

NUMBER OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARDHOLDERS IN OREGON TRIPLES

The number of Oregon Medical Marijuana Program cardholders has nearly 
tripled in the past three years, and the growth trend also is present 
in the mid-Willamette Valley.

In that time, Oregon and Linn and Benton counties all saw an increase 
of about 165 percent in medical marijuana patients.

Officials with the Oregon Health Authority, which administers the 
program, said that the agency tracks figures but doesn't analyze them.

State Rep. Andy Olson, R-Albany, took a dim view of the increase in 
cardholders - though he emphasized that he supports medical marijuana.

"I think what you are seeing is a serious track of abuse going on 
throughout the state right now," said Olson, a former lawman with the 
Oregon State Police.

Olson noted that out-of-state residents can get cards in Oregon, said 
that doctors need to be held more accountable in recommending the 
drug, and that minors using medical marijuana need to be evaluated 
frequently by a pediatrician.

Efforts to change how medical marijuana is handled in Oregon might be 
overtaken by events, though. Oregon voters will decide in November 
whether to legalize the drug.

The Drug Policy Alliance, which is advocating more liberal drug laws 
in the United States, could not be reached for comment.

The growth in medical marijuana cardholders has slowed after sharp 
climbs in 2010 and 2011, according to Oregon Health Authority 
quarterly figures.

Oregon cardholders increased by 9 percent since last July, while 
Benton County rose 11 percent and Linn County 15 percent.

Despite the trend of the past three years Oregon medical marijuana 
patients actually have declined slightly since January, according to 
state figures.

The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act was approved by voters and later the 
Oregon Legislature in 1998.

The law provides legal protection for qualified patients, mandates a 
state registration system, and requires a physician-written statement 
of the medical condition that marijuana is needed to treat.

The standard application fee to use medical marijuana in Oregon 
currently is $200. If the patient chooses a grower other than 
himself, there is an additional $50 required.

During the first year of the program, only 600 patients were 
registered to use medical marijuana, according to an Oregon Health 
Authority packet.

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[sidebar]

OMMP Patients

July 2012

State:  54,280

Linn County:  1,408

Benton County:  712

July 2011

State:  49,220

Linn County:  1,225

Benton County:  633

July 2010

State:  36,380

Linn County:  914

Benton County:  462

July 2009

State:  20,307

Linn County:  529

Benton County:  270

July 2008

State:  19,646

Linn County:  500

Benton County:  232

Conditions for usage, July 2012

(Patients may have more than one condition)

Agitation from Alzheimer's disease: 55

Cachexia (a weight loss disease): 1,024

Cancer: 2,112

Glaucoma: 831

HIV/AIDS: 728

Nausea: 7,722

Severe pain: 51,327

Seizures, including epilepsy: 1,341

Persistent muscle spasms, including multiple sclerosis: 14,314
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom