Vote Yes on Measure 33

I was chief petitioner for the medical marijuana act passed in 1998, and although successful, it did not create a supply of medicine.  Some patients need medicine immediately or can't grow a garden.  M33 improves access to medicine by creating state-regulated dispensaries that act like pharmacies to sell safe medicine to patients in a safe environment rather than forcing patients underground.

M33 is not legalization. Only patients who have been qualified can register while sales to unregistered persons remain a felony.  M33 allows Nurse Practitioners and Naturopaths to sign applications but these professionals already prescribe morphine and routinely provide primary care in Oregon.

The new limits of a pound for most patients and six if registered for only one annual outdoor harvest are what patients need.  The federal government provides six or more pounds each year to select patients under the "Investigational New Drug Program" for marijuana but this was closed to new patients over ten years ago. Measure 33 is carefully crafted to improve access to medicine for patients left behind in 1998.  Vote Yes on 33.

    Rick Bayer, MD