* Forwarded (from: NETMAIL) by L P using timEd 1.10.
* Originally from carl@commonlink.net (1:323/140.3).
* Original dated: Thu Nov 06, 21:02
rgivens@sirius.com wrote:
I-685 got hammered because of the association with heroin, LSD etc.  A
purely medical marijuana initiative would not have been subject to the
demonization that I-685 invited. 
Aside from the obvious political liability of connecting with heroin et al,
I-685 was a poorly written piece of legislation. There was no source of
supply created for one thing. There were new criminal penalties for
another.  All in all, I-685 was poorly conceived and poorly crafted.  It
lacks certain critical features which would make the legislation work if it
was ever passed. As it is passage would have meant  unending legal
challenges over the omissions and poorly thought out wording. 
What the public doesn't yet realize is that many qualified people have
great difficulty getting medical marijuana  in California because
Proposition 215 didn't go far enough.  Dozens of seriously ill people are
being forced to defend themselves in State courts because 215 didn't
clearly deal with certain issues. 
There is no need to make these mistakes in future legislation.  The public
fully expects that patients will be able to get their cannabis medicine
easily, so facilitating that desire is just good business. 
I-685 demonstrates  that we cannot "piggyback" other drug reform on the
shoulders of medical marijuana. 
I repeat my assertion. Well written medical marijuana initiatives will pass
handily.   They should deliver exactly what the public expects. Namely a
hassle free legal source of low priced medicine.  Patient growing and
licensed growers and distributors are a must for a good law.  There is no
reason to compromise on delivering good quality marijuana to the sick and
dying. That's what the public expects when they cast a vote for medical
marijuana.  Our duty is to deliver. 
R Givens
***********************************************************************
*  Carl E. Olsen                *  carl@commonlink.net                *
*  Post Office Box 4091         *  NORML News archived at:            *
*  Des Moines, Iowa 50333       *  http://www.calyx.com/~olsen/       *
*  (515) 262-6957 voice & fax   *  http://www.commonlink.com/~olsen/  *
***********************************************************************
--- 
---------------