Herald and News
Klamath Falls, OR
Dear editor:

Yes on 33 In reply to "Marijuana May Help by Joan Grasspool (10/17/04)", it is important for Oregon voters to pass Measure 33.  I was a chief petitioner for the medical marijuana act passed in 1998, and although successful, it did not create a reliable supply of medicine for all patients.  Some need medicine immediately or are too sick to grow a garden.  Measure 33 amends the original act to improve safe access to medicine by creating state-regulated dispensaries that act like pharmacies so that no patient is forced to deal with the black market.

M33 is not legalization.  Only patients who are qualified by licensed health care providers can register, while sales to persons not registered remain a felony.  Dispensaries are funded by dispensary fees paid to the Department of Human Services and will not cost taxpayers money.  In fact, the program currently has a cash balance over one million dollars.

Many suffering patients are afflicted with debilitating conditions for which the responsible use of marijuana as medicine offers relief.  Patients should not be arrested for using marijuana under medical supervision.

If you or a loved one were sick, wouldn’t you want reliable access to the medicine that helps?  Medical marijuana should be available through a safe regulated system.  Vote Yes on 33.

Rick Bayer, MD
Portland, OR

See www.vote33.org or www.yeson33.org for more information.