courtesy of NORML

November 21, 1996

Office Of National Drug Control Policy Restates Opposition To Medical

Marijuana Initiatives

November 15, 1996, Washington, D.C.: Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey

re-emphasized the administration's opposition to voter-approved drug

reform initiatives in California and Arizona that endorse the use of

marijuana as a medicine. The announcement came following several

closed-door meetings with law enforcement and state officials.

"There could not be a worse message to young people than the provisions

of these referenda," stated McCaffrey in a November 15 press release.

"Just when the nation is trying its hardest to educate teenagers not to

use psychoactive drugs, now they are being told that 'marijuana [is]

medicine.' The conflicting message is extremely harmful."

The California initiative says that, "Patients or defined caregivers,

who possess or cultivate marijuana for medical treatment recommended by a

physician, are exempt from the general provisions of law which otherwise

prohibit possession or cultivation of marijuana." It further provides

that, "Physicians shall not be punished or denied any right or privilege

for recommending marijuana to a patient for medical purposes." The Act

does not supersede state legislation prohibiting persons from possessing

or cultivating marijuana for non-medical purposes.

Proposition 200 in Arizona, known as the "Drug Medicalization,

Prevention and Control Act," is broader than California's measure and

would essentially "medicalize" Arizona's drug policy. The Act calls for

mandatory, court supervised treatment and probation as an alternative to

incarceration for non-violent drug users and provides expanded drug

treatment programs. It also permits doctors to prescribe controlled

drugs such as marijuana to patients suffering from serious illnesses such

as glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and AIDS; however, this aspect

of the measure is in direct conflict with federal law. Arizonans voted

in favor of the initiative by a vote of 65 to 35.

"By our judgment, increased drug abuse in every category will be the

inevitable result of the referenda," said McCaffrey.

In the weeks following the initiatives passage, proponents have

speculated as to whether the federal government will target physicians

and patients complying with the new state laws. On this matter,

McCaffrey stated that federal law remains in "full force" despite the

states' actions and that the Justice Department "will take action" when

the evidence merits.

"It is unfortunate that General McCaffrey chose only to meet with those

who oppose the notion of marijuana as medicine when meeting to strategize

the federal response to the passage of the California and Arizona

initiatives," said NORML Deputy Director Allen St. Pierre, who noted that

at least two physicians who learned of the meetings were barred from

attending. "These initiatives address health issues; to exclude input

from physicians who are explicitly and specifically mentioned is

unacceptable."

For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre of NORML @ (202)

483-5500 or Dale Gieringer of California NORML @ (415) 563-5858.

(Meanwhile) Drug Czar's Office Refuses NORML Meeting