Letter by Dr. Rick Bayer, MD (Chief Petitioner of 1998's Oregon medical Marijuana Act)

Kevin Mannix's I-104 Initiative would Repeal the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act ... but misleading Ballot Title wouldn't tell that to the voters!

July 2, 2007

 

Oregon Secretary of State, Elections Division
Attn: Compliance Control for Initiative-104
141 State Capitol
Salem, OR 97310-0722

Re: Compliance for I-104 chief petitioners filed by Mr. Brady and Ms. Allison.

 

Dear Mr. Bradbury and staff:

Thank you for allowing me to comment on I-104. My information is from the website of the Oregon SOS. I -104 is a very long and complicated initiative. Section 1 admits to 13 different goals of the initiative (“a” through “m”). Some have to do with crime, some with voting, some with medical care such as the Oregon Medical Marijuana Law, and some with executive branch staffing.

This initiative must be split up into several different initiatives because it is far too confusing to Oregon voters to have 13 different goals in one initiative. In particular the part about eliminating the Oregon Medical Marijuana Law that voters passed by popular initiative in 1998 - ORS 475.300 - 475.346 are repealed upon passage of this act in Section 10 (h) of I-104 - should be considered separately. The current title deceives Oregonians into overturning a law they already voted on and passed because it fails to mention the most important part of I-104.

The ballot title listed as, "Modifies Laws Addressing Crime Prevention, Criminal Prosecutions/Sanctions, Medical Marijuana, Law Enforcement; Creates Tax Credit" is an anemic attempt at a too complicated initiative. Oregonians will have no idea from this title they are repealing a ballot initiative they recently approved in 1998 and may need of their own care.

As mentioned, any repeal of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Law of 1998 (Measure 67) should be considered as a separate initiative.

If you disagree, then the ballot title should at least say, "Repeals Medical Marijuana Law" such as, "Modifies Laws Addressing Crime Prevention, Criminal Prosecutions/Sanctions, Law Enforcement; Repeals Medical Marijuana Law; Creates Tax Credit".

Thank very much. Please contact me if I am unclear.

Sincerely,

Richard Edward Bayer, MD
Board Certified, American Board of Internal Medicine
Oregon License Emeritus MD11743
Chief Petitioner, Measure 67, Oregon Medical Marijuana Act of 1998