* Forwarded (from: NETMAIL) by L P using timEd 1.10.
* Originally from carl@commonlink.net (1:323/140.3).
* Original dated: Thu Nov 06, 20:50
Marijuana Policy Project  wrote:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   November 5, 1997
                   Washington Citizens Know the Difference 
             Between Medicinal Marijuana and Other Illegal Drugs
                        Voters Reject Initiative 685
Last night, Washington voters rejected Initiative˙685, which would have
eliminated criminal penalties for patients who use marijuana or other
federally prohibited drugs with their doctors' approval. It also would
have prevented nonviolent drug users from being sent to prison for a
first or second offense.
"The voters demonstrated that they know the difference between marijuana
and hard drugs," explained Chuck Thomas, director of communications for
the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). The MPP
lobbies to replace marijuana prohibition with reasonable regulations
that are designed to minimize the harm associated with marijuana.
"While a majority of voters nationwide support legal medical access to
marijuana, Initiative˙685 would have also allowed patients to use heroin
and PCP," said Thomas. "It would have passed if it had been limited to
marijuana. Even the elected officials who campaigned against the
initiative voiced their support for medicinal marijuana. For example,
Lt.˙Governor Brad Owen consistently based his opposition to the
initiative on the fact that `it goes far beyond medicinal marijuana,'
implying that he would otherwise support it."
"Tonight, Murphy Brown will smoke marijuana to reduce the nausea caused
by her breast cancer treatment," said the MPP's Chuck Thomas. "Sadly, in
Washington state she could be arrested and sent to prison for using her
medicine. Voters in California and Arizona had the compassion to change
these unjust laws."
The Marijuana Policy Project is working with the Washington state
legislature to pass legislation that would eliminate criminal penalties
for seriously ill patients who use medicinal marijuana with their
doctors' approval.
                                 -END-
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*  Carl E. Olsen                *  carl@commonlink.net                *
*  Post Office Box 4091         *  NORML News archived at:            *
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