Pubdate: Thu, 28 Oct 1999
Source: Maine Sunday Telegram (ME)
Copyright: 1999 Guy Gannett Communications
Contact:  http://www.portland.com/
Forum: http://www.portland.com/cgi-bin/COMMUNITY/netforum/community/a/1

QUESTION 2

BETTER IDEA IS NEEDED FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

This Referendum Seeks To Do Good, But Its Method Is Flawed

Question 2 on the Nov. 2 referendum ballot asks Maine voters if they
would like to authorize people to grow "limited" amounts of marijuana,
with a doctor's permission, in order to medicate themselves to relieve
the symptoms of some ailments.

While the idea of providing the relief marijuana offers to patients
suffering the effects of cancer, AIDS and other afflictions is a good
one, the method chosen by the backers of this proposed law is not.

If Question 2 passes, Mainers could possess up to 1.25 ounces of dried
marijuana or grow up to six marijuana plants for personal use. Where
would those supplies come from? The only possible source is illegal
dealers, and Mainers ought to think hard before passing a law that
benefits criminals.

Second, allowing some persons to grow marijuana plants will lead to
confusion and inequality in law enforcement. Now, seeing marijuana
plants growing on a porch or windowsill instantly provides police with
probable cause to investigate its illegal use; if this law passes, law
enforcers will face a tougher investigative task even when the person
growing the pot has no legal right to do so.

Instead, until an effective medical version of marijuana's active
ingredient becomes available, doctors should be able to provide
marijuana by prescription. This will put it in the same class as other
drugs that also provide similar types of relief for those who are suffering.

It's true that federal law now prohibits distribution of marijuana
through prescription. That law can be changed, however, and it may
also be possible for Maine to persuade federal courts to permit local
police departments to pass on confiscated pot to patients through
medical channels without giving permission to grow it.

Either way would be better than this flawed proposal, which should be
rejected by voters.

Then people of good will in the Legislature, law enforcement and the
medical community should find a way to help people in need without
either benefiting illegal dealers or hindering the police.

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