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Phoenix, AZ - A doctor's note will allow Arizonans to buy marijuana – or even grow the drug in their home – if a national group seeking voter approval gets its way next year. The group has drafted a measure they hope to get on the 2010 ballot that would legalize medical marijuana here and set up a system of non-profit "dispensaries."
Supporters say marijuana use has great benefits for people suffering from serious illnesses ranging from cancer to HIV. But critics have long argued legalizing medical use is a step towards full legalization of a drug they see as a "gateway" to more serious addictions.
If the backers get their measure on next year's ballot, it will mark the fourth time since 1996 Arizona voters have a chance to weigh-in on the issue.
"It's the right thing to do," said Andrew Myers, the Arizona campaign manager hired by the national Marijuana Policy Project. "It provides a level of mercy to these people who are suffering and dying."
Organizers have yet to submit draft language to the Secretary of State's Office. But Myers said the initiative would say if someone were to get a "recommendation" from a licensed physician they could not be prosecuted in the state for marijuana possession.
There's two ways patients could get their hands on the pot: Either at the non-profit dispensaries, or if they're 25 miles away from one, they could grow the drug in their own home.
Those using the drug would still be violating federal law – which is why doctors can't give a prescription like other drugs – but on the state level, it would be legal.
"We shouldn't be interfering with the doctor-patient relationship," Myers said.
Arizonans have showed a willingness to legalize the practice for medical purposes before. In 1996, voters approved medical marijuana – only to see the Legislature essentially repeal the law afterward.
Two years later, voters re-ratified the '96 measure. But despite that, doctors have been unwilling to prescribe the drug because of the threat of losing their license.
A 2002 initiative with a provision to reduce the penalty for possession of up to two ounces to a fine was rejected by voters.
This time supporters say they've worked out the legal issues by avoiding the mention of prescriptions. And there are other elements in the measure to win voters over. The state could only issue licenses for 120 dispensaries, none of which could be within 500 feet of a school.
"We're sensitive to the public's concerns about these facilities," said Myers, adding of the 13 states that have legalized medical marijuana, none have legalized it for recreational use.
But some are still skeptical.
State Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu, says he doesn't have a problem with people using marijuana for medical purposes.
But he said the dispensaries – similar to a system used in California – are prone to abuse.
"I think that's actually how they abuse it," Gould said – although he says doctors prescribe other drugs that are more addictive and dangerous than pot.
Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Tucson, says even if the move is a step toward legalization, she's not threatened, pointing to some of the greater societal effects she sees from alcohol.
A champion of legalizing assisted suicide, Lopez said the state shouldn't try to be "medical arbiters."
"Marijuana has been very helpful for people to deal with pain," she said.
The group has until July 2010 to gather more than 150,000 signatures.
News Hawk: PFlynn - 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, AZ)
Author: Daniel Scarpinato
Copyright: 2009 Arizona Daily Star
Contact: letters@azstarnet.com
Website: Group wants medical pot on ballot in 2010 | www.azstarnet.com ®
Supporters say marijuana use has great benefits for people suffering from serious illnesses ranging from cancer to HIV. But critics have long argued legalizing medical use is a step towards full legalization of a drug they see as a "gateway" to more serious addictions.
If the backers get their measure on next year's ballot, it will mark the fourth time since 1996 Arizona voters have a chance to weigh-in on the issue.
"It's the right thing to do," said Andrew Myers, the Arizona campaign manager hired by the national Marijuana Policy Project. "It provides a level of mercy to these people who are suffering and dying."
Organizers have yet to submit draft language to the Secretary of State's Office. But Myers said the initiative would say if someone were to get a "recommendation" from a licensed physician they could not be prosecuted in the state for marijuana possession.
There's two ways patients could get their hands on the pot: Either at the non-profit dispensaries, or if they're 25 miles away from one, they could grow the drug in their own home.
Those using the drug would still be violating federal law – which is why doctors can't give a prescription like other drugs – but on the state level, it would be legal.
"We shouldn't be interfering with the doctor-patient relationship," Myers said.
Arizonans have showed a willingness to legalize the practice for medical purposes before. In 1996, voters approved medical marijuana – only to see the Legislature essentially repeal the law afterward.
Two years later, voters re-ratified the '96 measure. But despite that, doctors have been unwilling to prescribe the drug because of the threat of losing their license.
A 2002 initiative with a provision to reduce the penalty for possession of up to two ounces to a fine was rejected by voters.
This time supporters say they've worked out the legal issues by avoiding the mention of prescriptions. And there are other elements in the measure to win voters over. The state could only issue licenses for 120 dispensaries, none of which could be within 500 feet of a school.
"We're sensitive to the public's concerns about these facilities," said Myers, adding of the 13 states that have legalized medical marijuana, none have legalized it for recreational use.
But some are still skeptical.
State Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu, says he doesn't have a problem with people using marijuana for medical purposes.
But he said the dispensaries – similar to a system used in California – are prone to abuse.
"I think that's actually how they abuse it," Gould said – although he says doctors prescribe other drugs that are more addictive and dangerous than pot.
Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Tucson, says even if the move is a step toward legalization, she's not threatened, pointing to some of the greater societal effects she sees from alcohol.
A champion of legalizing assisted suicide, Lopez said the state shouldn't try to be "medical arbiters."
"Marijuana has been very helpful for people to deal with pain," she said.
The group has until July 2010 to gather more than 150,000 signatures.
News Hawk: PFlynn - 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, AZ)
Author: Daniel Scarpinato
Copyright: 2009 Arizona Daily Star
Contact: letters@azstarnet.com
Website: Group wants medical pot on ballot in 2010 | www.azstarnet.com ®
