Initiative 692: Medicinal Marijuana

Thu., Oct. 29, 1998

By Kim Barker kimb@spokesman.com

Initiative 692 would allow the medical use of marijuana for terminal or debilitating conditions.

Doctors would also be allowed to advise patients about medical marijuana.

This initiative is the second attempt in two years by Dr. Rob Killian to legalize medical marijuana.

Last year’s initiative, which sought to reform the state’s drug laws, failed. This one is much more narrow.

“I truly believe that patients who need to use marijuana are not criminals,” said Killian, a Tacoma family doctor.

The initiative allows the medical use of marijuana for specific conditions, such as cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis and seizure disorders. It requires that patients be advised by their doctors that medical marijuana can help.

Of course, a doctor can’t write a prescription.

The initiative would allow people to have a 60-day supply, whether they grow it or buy it.

Opponents say the initiative is poorly written and has no meaningful limit on how much marijuana a person could have. They say it legalizes an addictive drug without enough controls and encourages sick people or their families to buy marijuana from drug dealers.

Opponents also say the initiative would make current laws on marijuana practically unenforceable.

“To legitimize it on a government level - it will harm people as well as help,” said Dr. Ronald Springel, a Valley doctor who treats people for substance addiction.

Voters in four other Western states and Washington, D.C., will consider whether to legalize medical marijuana.

Two states - California and Arizona - already allow the use of medical marijuana.

I-692 Initiative 692 would allow the medical use of marijuana for patients who are terminally ill or suffer from debilitating conditions. Doctors would also be allowed to advise patients about using medical marijuana.

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