A coalition of Oregon patients and activists filed an initiative last week that would expand and clarify provisions of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act. Backers of the measure must gather approximately 67,000 signatures from registered voters by July 5, 2002 to place the initiative on this year’s state ballot.
The proposed ballot measure amends the state’s current medical marijuana law – approved by voters in 1998 – so that it may more realistically reflect patients’ needs. “Marijuana is a safe and effective medicine,” said John Sajo of The Life with Dignity Committee, which filed the initiative. “Patients should be able to get it.”
Provisions of the initiative would lower Oregon’s annual patient registration fee from $150 to $20, and expand the quantity of marijuana patients may legally cultivate and possess. The measure also calls for the creation of state-licensed dispensaries that would distribute medical marijuana to qualified patients. Under the proposed law, indigent patients would be able to obtain their medicine at no cost from state dispensaries.
According to a statewide poll conducted last year, more than eight out of 10 Oregonians favor a state regulated medical marijuana distribution system.
Additional provisions in the measure would allow nurse practitioners and naturopathic surgeons to recommend medical pot to patients, and forbid law enforcement from prosecuting out-of-state patients licensed to possess medical marijuana.
For more information, please contact Keith Stroup, NORML Executive Director, at (202) 483-5500 or visit the Voter Power website at: http://www.voterpower.org.