Source: Wenatchee World Page: 4 Contact: Pubdate: 19 Oct 1997 Don't Be Fooled by I685 by Tracy Warner, Editorial Page Editor If marijuana is legalized in this state, it will be the result of our compassion. The image of a suffering terminally ill cancer patient gaining some fleeting comfort by using marijuana is powerful enough to persuade many, even those who are firmly antidrug. That compassion for the sick and dying is what backers of Initiative 685 hope to tap. The measure on the Nov. 4 ballot will legalize the medical use of marijuana. The terminally ill, those suffering through pain and nausea in chemotherapy, will be able to turn to marijuana if their doctors approve. Polls show most people would agree this is good. The trouble is, that is not all the initiative will do. What isn't mentioned often by proponents is this: the initiative virtually will legalize many illicit drugs, including marijuana, make possession of methamphetamines or cocaine a legally inconsequential matter, and free felons from state prisons. The measure is far broader in scope than merely legalizing marijuana for terminal cancer patients. It goes far beyond encouraging treatment for drug abusers. The measure is backed by a trio of outofstate millionaires whose interest in comforting the terminally ill apparently is surpassed by their interest in the general legalization of drug use. Under the measure a physician could recommend the use of a Schedule 1 drug "to treat a disease, or to relieve the pain and suffering of a seriously ill patient or terminally ill patient." Schedule drugs include heroin, LSD, and PCP. The law does not define what a "serious" illness might be. That apparently would be left up to the physician. A person could legally possess heroin if he is given "recommendations" from two compliant doctors. Something as stringent as a prescription would be unnecessary. Proponents of the measure sat there are safeguards that prevent abuse. The recommendation of two physicians is required, and the doctors making the recommendation must "document that scientific research exists that supports the use of a controlled substance" for medicinal purposes. This is little comfort. There are many physicians in this state. They are a diverse group with varied attitudes about what constitutes treatment and therapy and illnesses. It will not be difficult to find two willing to provide recommendations. As for serious illness and "scientific" justification, the proponents of the initiative say marijuana appears to be useful in the treatment of such things as depression, arthritis, even asthma. Heroin, they shamelessly contend, may be medically useful for treating a serious disease called opiate addiction. Apparently the initiative requires scientific evidence. It doesn't require that it be reputable scientific evidence. The initiative also would release from state prisons those convicted of drug possession. It would not release convicted dealers, or those with a history of violence. But still, state officials estimate up to 300 felons would be released from prison if the initiative is passed. Anyone familiar with Washington state's court system knows it takes extreme persistence to be sentenced to prison for mere drug possession. The penalties for beginners can't be categorized as harsh. Firsttime offenders convicted of felony drug possession can receive a sentence of zero to 90 days in county jail and up to two years community supervision. It takes a minimum of four felony drug possession convictions before a defendant is considered for a prison term. In practice, it is probably more. Anyone in prison for possession of drugs also possesses an extensive criminal record. In the future, should I685 pass, those convicted of possession of drugs will be sentenced to treatment. Incarceration will be forbidden. Drug possession will effectively be decriminalized. Tax payers will pay for treatment. The initiative is a near duplicate of an initiative approved by Arizona voters, and then dismantled by a hostile legislature that felt the public was deceived. The ballot effort here is financed by New York billionaire George Soros, the "Daddy Warbucks of drug legalization." Helping is Peter Lewis, a Cleveland, Ohio, insurance executive; and John Sperling, a Phoenix, Ariz., businessman. Together the campaign war chest exceeds $1 million. The proponents of the measure are right about one thing. This state's antidrug laws have been frustratingly ineffective. The socalled War on Drugs has mostly failed, so far. But the failure is not because laws against possession have been too strictly enforced. If the simple act of drug possession received serious attention from the legal system, perhaps some good might be done. Instead, possession has become so common that an overwhelmed legal system frequently treats it as a trivial matter. If it is drug use that worries us, Initiative 685 will only make matters worse.