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PORTLAND, Ore. (Reuters) - Oregon voters will decide this fall whether to make medical marijuana more readily available after an initiative to expand an existing law gained enough signatures on Friday to be placed on the ballot.
The ballot measure would let patients possess up to 1 pound of marijuana, up from 3 ounces under a law passed in 1999. It also would create a system of dispensaries that could legally sell pot to patients.
"This initiative will create a regulated supply of medical marijuana so that patients and their caregivers can safely and reliably get their medicine," said John Sajo, director of Voter Power and a chief petitioner.
Initiative supporters turned in 28,500 signatures on Friday. The ballot measure drew 95,690 signatures submitted in May, but after some were thrown out, supporters canvassed again to ensure they reached the required threshold of 75,630 valid voter signatures.
About 9,000 Oregonians have medical cards allowing them to grow and use marijuana for medical purposes. Currently, a patient has to grow his own marijuana or have a caregiver grow it.
"Most of these ill people cannot grow their own under the current restrictions," which regulates the number of plants and sets other conditions. The initiative would clarify the caregivers' role by letting them grow pot for as many as 10 medical users.
Nine states currently have laws permitting some use of marijuana for medical purposes, Bruce Mirken, communications director of the Marijuana Policy Project said.
Another seven states are considering legalizing medical use of marijuana, which is prescribed as a pain reducer or appetite stimulant for patients with multiple sclerosis, cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, and other illnesses.
While other controversial issues like legalizing homosexual marriage and redefining marriage as between one man and one woman have drawn fierce resistance, the medical marijuana initiative has created little local debate.
"It isn't that controversial among the general population. Most people seem to understand the value of this medicine," Mirken said.
The U.S. Supreme Court in late June agreed to decide if a federal law banning marijuana applies to medical use. Two seriously ill California women, whose doctors recommended it for their ailments, sued the U.S. government and the case will be reviewed by the nation's highest court when it begins a new term in October.
Reuters
Teresa Carson
© Reuters 2004
Health & Fitness News | Reuters.com
The ballot measure would let patients possess up to 1 pound of marijuana, up from 3 ounces under a law passed in 1999. It also would create a system of dispensaries that could legally sell pot to patients.
"This initiative will create a regulated supply of medical marijuana so that patients and their caregivers can safely and reliably get their medicine," said John Sajo, director of Voter Power and a chief petitioner.
Initiative supporters turned in 28,500 signatures on Friday. The ballot measure drew 95,690 signatures submitted in May, but after some were thrown out, supporters canvassed again to ensure they reached the required threshold of 75,630 valid voter signatures.
About 9,000 Oregonians have medical cards allowing them to grow and use marijuana for medical purposes. Currently, a patient has to grow his own marijuana or have a caregiver grow it.
"Most of these ill people cannot grow their own under the current restrictions," which regulates the number of plants and sets other conditions. The initiative would clarify the caregivers' role by letting them grow pot for as many as 10 medical users.
Nine states currently have laws permitting some use of marijuana for medical purposes, Bruce Mirken, communications director of the Marijuana Policy Project said.
Another seven states are considering legalizing medical use of marijuana, which is prescribed as a pain reducer or appetite stimulant for patients with multiple sclerosis, cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, and other illnesses.
While other controversial issues like legalizing homosexual marriage and redefining marriage as between one man and one woman have drawn fierce resistance, the medical marijuana initiative has created little local debate.
"It isn't that controversial among the general population. Most people seem to understand the value of this medicine," Mirken said.
The U.S. Supreme Court in late June agreed to decide if a federal law banning marijuana applies to medical use. Two seriously ill California women, whose doctors recommended it for their ailments, sued the U.S. government and the case will be reviewed by the nation's highest court when it begins a new term in October.
Reuters
Teresa Carson
© Reuters 2004
Health & Fitness News | Reuters.com
