Dear Pilot editor:

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.

In your 10/23/04 Pilot article by Brian Bullock, Judy Kaplan thoughtfully asked if Measure 33 was an improvement over what we have now.  The answer is that Measure 33, an amendment to our current medical marijuana law, was designed to improve safe access to medicine by creating state-regulated dispensaries that act like pharmacies.  This means patients who cannot grow medicine or find a caregiver to work for free are not forced to deal with an underground market.

Measure 33 is not legalization; only patients who are qualified by licensed health care providers can register.  After Measure 33, sales to persons not registered remain a felony.

Also mentioned in the same piece, Measure 33 involves far more regulation than what we have now.  It is nonsense to suggest underground dealers will seek a regulated environment including inspections and reports required by Measure 33.  Measure 33 actually encourages fewer and more heavily regulated gardens than in our current system.

People who like the 1998 medical marijuana act should love Measure 33, which is truly a medical marijuana patient’s bill of rights.  Oregonians who support improved access to medicine and medical care should vote Yes on 33.

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