The recently passed medicinal marijuana initiative which was recently passed in Oregon has a glaring problem - whether one supports or opposes the idea. While one can use marijuana to treat illnesses one can't legally purchase the substance. This means that once it has been prescribed the user would be allowed to grow up to a maximum number of plants for personal use. Unabashed big government advocates, like my own state representative Lane Shetterly, have given police unprecedented latitude in search and seizure, often with lethal and tragic results; these misguided efforts at public safety [endangerment?] will be seriously slowed by this measure.

However, there are serious problems still to be faced effectively implementing the will of the people - if the big government advocates in Salem and DC don't act to thwart democracy. As the law is written, there are no guidelines whatsoever as to the potency of the plants or to instruction as to the correct use of the drug; there are distinct differences in using the drug for medicinal uses or for "recreational" uses. Some standards as to potency and correct use of marijuana should be established by the state; some of the marijuana plants used on the street - thanks largely to criminalization - is far more potent than necessary for treatment of illness.

Unfortunately, acting responsibly for the benefit of Oregonians isn't likely to happen. With the big government GOP in charge of the legislature, such responsible behavior would embarrass the national party with their specious claims for advocacy of less government and local control. If the GOP at the national level doesn't intervene legislatively, the Klintonistas, eager to thwart the "soft on crime" moniker that the GOP demagogues use with impunity, are likely to intervene - as they have in California. My bet is that the Salem GOP will duck their heads in the sand and send us another initiative to "reconsider" our recent vote - while the waffling Kitzhaber breathes a sigh of relief. So much for "public safety"!


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