Contact: Kathleen Chippi  (303) 938-0195        Joe Vigorito (303) 258-3990
             bhc@welcomehome.org                         support@eagle-access.net

Colorado Citizens for Compassionate Cannabis is denouncing a medical marijuana initiative proposed for the 1998 ballot in Colorado.  CCCC is a group of Colorado patients and family members, medical professionals, care-givers, and others who support the compassionate use of cannabis in the treatment of symptoms of a variety of illnesses.

The proposed ballot initiative is being funded by a California-based group, Americans for Medical Rights. AMR participated in the campaign for Prop. 215 which passed in California in 1996.   The AMR initiative would amend the Colorado constitution to allow the medical use of marijuana, but would only cover a limited number of illnesses/symptoms that cannabis could be used to treat and would restrict the amounts of cannabis a patient could possess (2 ounces) and cultivate (3 plants).

The two-ounce limit proposed by AMR is not adequate to protect patients. It is currently only a misdemeanor in Colorado to possess up to eight ounces of marijuana. The average medical cannabis patient needs one to two ounces a week of medicine to adequately treat their conditions.  Under a now-defunct federal medical marijuana program, 8 patients in the U.S. now receive about 8 ounces per month from the federal government.

In addition, the limits on cultivation would not allow a patient to produce their own medicine.  An experienced cannabis cultivator would be lucky to obtain one ounce of medicine per plant, assuming none of the plants died.  Three plants would only provide three ounces of medicine, at best, in a six to nine month time period.  During this same time period, the average patient would need 56 to 72 ounces of medicine to treat their condition.

Since the AMR initiative fails to set up a legitimate distribution system or allow patients to adequately grow their own medicine, patients will have to purchase their medicine on the black market.  This will put seriously-ill patients into danger by forcing them into the streets frequently to re-supply their medicine.

In addition, the AMR initiative would:
* harm the patient/physician relationship by allowing the government to decide who can benefit from therapeutic cannabis and by allowing the government to control dosage and frequency of use
* open patients to more severe punishment than they currently face for violation of the provisions of the amendment
* label patients as having a debilitating medical condition by forcing them to carry an ID card
* disallow the use of a medical necessity legal defense for patients who use cannabis for illnesses/symptoms not listed in the amendment

"This initiative is not about compassion, it is about control," says Kathleen Chippi, CCCC spokesperson who uses cannabis to treat bipolar disorder. "I put my life in danger every time I go out on the streets to get my medicine.  A compassionate law would allow me to go out less often or to grow an adequate supply at home."

On December 13, the California state Court of Appeals ruled that the buyer's clubs that had sprung up to supply cannabis to patients since the passage of Prop. 215 had to be closed.  Citing the text of Proposition 215 Judge J. Clinton Peterson said, "If the drafters of the initiative wanted to legalize the sale of small amounts of marijuana for approved medical purposes, they could have easily done so.''

"The same thing will happen with the AMR initiatives because AMR has not designated any method of obtaining cannabis outside of the black market.  If passed, this measure would leave patients with a continued dependence on the black market or force them to go without their medicine.  AMR should focus on writing a good law for the patient and not merely winning elections," says Joe Vigorito, patient advocate.

In addition to Colorado, AMR is proposing similar medical marijuana initiatives in Alaska, Maine, and Washington, D.C. in competition with current initiatives that are supported by local patient groups.  This has created divisions in the movement that have lead patient groups to question the motivation of AMR.

"If AMR had any integrity they would be working with the AIDS, cancer and glaucoma activists campaigning for Initiative 57.  Instead they are spending thousands of dollars to destroy our efforts, and pick off the what they hope will be the dead carcass of Initiative 57," states Wayne Turner, the head of the signature gathering effort for Initiative 57 in Washington, D.C.

"I'm concerned about a group of people from out of state coming into Colorado and writing our laws for us.  If they have a cause that they want to promote, they should consult with the locals because we are the ones who will be affected by the law," says Joe Beaver, Colorado resident and potential candidate for medical cannabis treatment.

"Only my doctor and myself should be able to decide which medicines are right for me," continues Chippi.  "AMR has no right to decide how to treat illnesses."

Excerpts from Statements of Patients
From <http://www.levellers.org/patients.htm>

1) Statement from Chuck Rollins, Alaska (suffers from bladder cancer)  "The AMR petition...will force patients into the illegal markets due to the nature of the flaws and limitations in the plan."

2) Statement from Rita Robinson, Alaska (suffers from fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, and muscle spasms)  "The AMR initiative is not compassionate - it will harm patients."

3) Statement from anonymous California patient and Drug War victim (suffers from cancer)
"Why at the same time we are watching AMR push initiatives in other states when the vehicle to run the one in California has not been created?"

4) Statement from anonymous Colorado patient and Drug War victim (suffers from chronic pain due to an automobile accident) "Why should I be forced to carry identification stating that I use marijuana to relieve my pain when I can get narcotics legally and confidentially?"

5) Statement from Ralph Holt, Maine (suffers from glaucoma) "I do not foresee a person being able to grow six plants and maintaining a steady supply of medication, without breaking the law under AMR's proposal."

ACT UP!/D.C.
409 H Street, NE Suite 1
Washington, D.C. 20002-4335
Phone: (202) 547-9404
Email: voteyes57@aol.com

Alaskans for Cannabis Therapeutics
Box 55616
North Pole, Alaska 99705
Phone: (907) 488-9030
Email: chuck@mosquitonet.com

Maine Citizens for Medical Marijuana
PO Box 189
Anson, Maine 04911
Phone: (207) 696-8167
E-mail: mevocals@somtel.com