See Also: Index of all Measures

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The Law As It Presently Exists

Washington has adopted the Uniform Controlled Substances Act (Chapter 69.50 RCW), in which drugs and other controlled substances are classified into several "schedules" numbered Schedule I through Schedule V. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I or Schedule II substance, depending on its use. It is a crime to possess, dispense, or transfer controlled substances except as specifically authorized by law.

There is currently only one program permitting the use of marijuana. Chapter 69.51 RCW authorizes the use of marijuana for purposes of research into its possible therapeutic value. This law is administered by the state department of health. Cancer patients in chemotherapy and radiology and glaucoma patients may apply to participate in this research program. Patient qualification review is performed by a committee of specialist physicians, who may add other disease groups to the program upon review of pertinent medical data and approval of the federal government. Patients in the research program may receive marijuana from the state board of pharmacy and may use it as part of the research program. Any other use of marijuana remains a crime.

The Effect Of The Measure If Approved Into Law

This measure would authorize the use of marijuana to treat patients with certain terminal or debilitating illnesses, including: cancer; HIV virus (AIDS); multiple sclerosis; epilepsy or other seizure disorders; spasticity disorders; glaucoma; pain which is not relieved by standard medical treatments and medications; and other medical conditions approved by the state medical quality assurance board. These patients would be defined as "qualifying patients".

Licensed physicians would be exempted from criminal laws or other penalties for advising qualifying patients about the risks and benefits of marijuana use. Physicians could lawfully provide documentation, based on the physician's assessment of the qualifying patient's medical history and medical condition, that the potential benefits of the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks for that patient. Qualifying patients and their primary caregivers would be authorized to acquire and possess marijuana if they possessed no more than a sixty day supply for the patient's personal, medical use and if they could present valid documentation of authorization by a physician. Parents or guardians could possess marijuana solely for the medical use of qualifying patients under eighteen years of age.

The measure would not authorize the acquisition, possession, or use of marijuana for any other purpose. Possession, sale, or use of marijuana for non-medical purposes would remain a crime. It would be a felony to fraudulently produce or to alter any documents relating to the medical use of marijuana. It would be a misdemeanor to use or display medical marijuana in public view. Health insurance providers would not be required to pay claims for the medical use of marijuana. No physician would be required to authorize the use of medical marijuana. The measure would not require the accommodation of any medical use of marijuana in any place of employment, school bus or school grounds, or youth center. No person would be authorized to engage in the medical use of marijuana in such a way as to endanger the health or well-being of any person through the use of a motorized vehicle on a street, road, or highway. The state could not be held liable for any damaging effects from permitted marijuana use.

As medical professionals, we've sat at the bedsides of suffering patients and friends. We've seen medical marijuana work to relieve this suffering when other medications have failed. Many authorities, including the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, support the medical use of marijuana. Marijuana can help patients suffering nausea from cancer chemotherapy, threatened with blindness due to glaucoma, or experiencing severe and intractable pain. But patients who use medical marijuana, and doctors who recommend it, are still considered criminals in this state. Initiative 692 will protect patients who suffer from terminal and debilitating illnesses, and doctors who recommend the use of medical marijuana. That's why we need I-692.

I-692 IS LIMITED AND FOCUSED ON MEDICAL NEEDS I-692 only allows the medical use of marijuana for a limited number of specific medical conditions for which there is scientific evidence that it works. I-692 also requires that patients be advised by their physicians that medical marijuana could be beneficial.

ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS IN I-692

• Limits the amount of marijuana a patient can possess.
• Requires parental consent for patients under 18.
• Prohibits marijuana use while driving, or in the workplace.
• Does not change any laws on non-medical marijuana use.
• Does not apply to any other drugs.

For more information call (206) 781-7716 or visit http://www.eventure.com/i692

Advisory committee: BOB McCASLIN, State Senator; JEANNE KOHL, State Senator; WILLIAM ROBERTSON, MD, Past President of the Washington State Medical Association; RICHARD BENSINGER, MD, Ophthalmologist; CAROL MILLER, Nurse.

Initiaive-692 promotes the use of a drug not proven by any health or medical association to be safe or effective. It is not compassionate or humanitarian to promote the use of an addictive drug without ensuring valid scientific or medical research exists that would validate claims made by those promoting marijuana use. Language in Initiative-692 such as "some" patients "may" benefit from marijuana "appears" to be beneficial is not a sufficient basis for expanding the use of an addictive drug.

INITIATIVE-692 CONFLICTS WITH PROFESSIONAL SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS

The Center for Scientific Affairs of the American Medical Association has concluded that marijuana and THC (The chief intoxicant in marijuana) have very limited or no effectiveness in treating acute nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, treating spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients, or treating those affected by AIDS wasting, glaucoma, or pain. The center has also concluded that controlled evidence shows marijuana and THC cause significant adverse impacts and that the intensity of side effects precludes routine use of such substances.

INITIATIVE-692 IS POORLY DRAFTED & HAS TOO MANY LOOPHOLES

Initiative-692 has no meaningful controls on the amount of marijuana - an addictive drug - a "patient" may possess. Initiative-692 states that "patients" may not "possess" more than "the amount necessary for a sixty day supply" but there is no definition for what "sixty day supply" means. This serious defect in drafting, intentional or not, creates a loophole so large that the likelihood for abuse is substantial. The potential for fraud, illicit drug sales, and other criminal activities is not worth the risk to our communities, neighborhoods, and children.

INITIATIVE-692 IS NOT WORTH THE RISK OF POTENTIAL ABUSE

For more information, call (360) 458-5701.

The "safeguards" in Initiative-692 sound good, but they are dangerously inadequate. Initiative-692 legalizes an addictive drug without medical evidence or adequate controls. Not even a doctor's prescription is needed as with other medicines.

The relationship between drugs and crime - especially by youths - is irrefutable. Initiative-692 would make current laws on marijuana practically unenforceable.

Join law enforcement in opposing Initiative-692

Advisory committee: DAN SWECKER, State Senator; GARY EDWARDS, Thurston County Sheriff; WILLIAM PENN, MD, Family Practice; GARY ALEXANDER, State Representative; KIRK WESTENFELDER, R.Ph., Kirk's Medical Services.