Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jan 1999
Source: The Bulletin (OR)
Section: Editorial
Page: A-8
Contact:  http://www.bendbulletin.com/

MAKING A HASH OF THE LAW

As a White House lawyer might phrase it, the story of Waldport
resident Mike Assenberg, who has threatened to sue Abby's Legendary
Pizza in Newport, might lead some rational people to conclude that the
liberal use of marijuana has substational unintended
side-effects.

On News Years Eve, Assenberg, who was struck by a baseball bat 14
years ago, asked the manager of Abby's if he could smoke a joint at
his table. Saying that his accident has left him in constant pain.
Assenberg claimed that he can light up wherever he darned well pleases
thanks to Measure 67, the medical-marijuana initiative that passed at
the polls in November. The Abby's manager denied his request.

Assenberg thereupon flew into a rage and called the local police,
claiming that the resturant has violated his rights under Measure 67
and the Americans with Disabilities Act. When he didn't get any
satisfaction from the police, he threatened to sue. He reportedly said
he'll seek $1 million, but will settle for $2,000. ( As a hobby, he
operates a computer bulletin board to locate lost children, and he
says the two grand will buy him some new equiptment.)

As it so happens, Measure 67- which in most respects is terribly vaque
and difficult to enforce-has something very specific to say about
smoking medical marijuana in public: You can't do it.

Some laws, apparently, get the supporters they deserve.
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