League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Riverside County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Measure Z Addressing Medical Cannabis Business City of Blythe Adoption of Ordinance - Majority Approval Required Fail: 835 / 45.26% Yes votes ...... 1,010 / 54.74% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure Z	Arguments Against Measure Z
Almost 20 years ago, an enlightened California electorate approved medical marijuana use for patients that preferred a less toxic, more natural alternative to prescription medication. The basis of the law was compassion for those suffering from medical illness that found relief in marijuana's therapeutic properties. Prior to the measure's passing, those who treated their illness with marijuana were stigmatized as criminals in need of punishment rather than patients suffering from medical conditions. Today, the imputation of wrongdoing towards those who treat their illness with marijuana by those with uneducated, biased and politically-motivated viewpoints, has made it a challenge for patients to obtain medication. For many in Blythe, its a considerable hardship to travel 100 miles to Palm Springs where the closest dispensary is located, The alternative is to buy on the black market, which usually means a "dealer" in one of our residential neighborhoods; oftentimes a dangerous proposition, especially for the elderly. The best solution for all is a well regulated commercial establishment where patients can purchase their medicine in a safe, secure environment. While the naysayers will argue that a dispensary in Blythe will attract crime and get into the hands of children, research has proven these scare tactics to be untrue. A study in Los Angeles County showed that the appearance of a dispensary in town was more often associated with a reduction in crime; and sales are limited to those 21 and older. The argument that it will be a target for robbery is equally dismissed. Banks, liquor stores and gas stations are all targets of robberies -- but we don't ban them from our community. In addition, tax revenue generated by a local dispensary will benefit local law enforcement. It's time we stood up for those less fortunate than ourselves; please, vote yes on Measure "Z". By: Dan Figueroa, Former Commissioner, Board of Paroles Mike Evans, City of Blythe Mayor Larry Kelley, Com. VFW David Brooks, MD Stephen Hohn Sr, Business Owner Rebuttal to Arguments For The arguments against Measure "Z" are many, documented, and important concerns for the citizens of Blythe. The reasons for Measure "Z" focus on one important concern. Because of the many potential problems with having a marijuana medical dispensary in Blythe, vote NO against Measure "Z". The California Shouse Law Group provides legal help to people who wish to operate medical marijuana dispensaries. Though the legal firm can assist the implementation of Measure "Z", their information actually shows major difficulties with marijuana medical dispensaries. These include vague wording in Proposition 215 and Senate bill 420. Under Proposition 215 passed in 1996 medical uses for marijuana include seven illnesses and "any other illness for which marijuana provides relief." This last category is a huge area for potential abuse. Under California Senate Bill 420 identification cards allow protected individuals to cultivate, possess, and transport specific amounts of marijuana, "unless a local ordinance or one's doctor authorizes more." This is a gigantic potential loophole for disaster. In November 2013 the American Medical Association officially stated that cannabis is a dangerous drug and is a public health concern. In March 2011 the American Society of Addiction Medicine rejected use of medical marijuana. The president stated that the Society does not regard marijuana as a medication, because it has not gone through an official Food and Drug Administration approval process. In Colorado under legalized medical marijuana usage from 2006 to 2011, fatalities involving drivers testing positive for marijuana increased 114 percent. VOTE NO ON Measure "Z". By: Oscar G. Galvan Adolfo Paglinawan Doris Morgan Bart Fisher Joseph DeConinck	Proponents of this measure would have you believe that they support it for humanitarian reasons to ease pain and suffering. But those who truly need this drug for medical reasons already have options for obtaining whatever they need to ease their suffering. District Attorneys throughout California know that fake medical cards are easy to obtain and that recreational drug users will be purchasing this federally illegal drug from Blythe's dispensaries. Statistically, there are fewer than 200 medicinal marijuana cardholders, both legitimate and fake, in Blythe. Only 5% of the legitimate cardholders have a debilitating illness. Why, then, the big push to do this? It is disturbing that marijuana purchased from dispensaries in other cities continues to show up at Palo Verde High School in the hands of children. Marijuana is a "gateway" drug, leading to the use of harder drugs. It is addicting, especially among children. The law enforcement community opposes dispensaries as they breed crime. Although legal in Colorado, a majority of communities have enacted bans or moratoriums on commercial marijuana businesses. In Denver, one-third of all crimes are committed within 1,000 feet of dispensaries. A dispensary in Cathedral City was robbed, at gunpoint, with thieves making off with $70,000 worth of marijuana that police indicated would be sold illegally on the street. The American Medical Association considers marijuana "a dangerous drug that should not be legalized for either recreational or medical use". The American Society of Addiction Medicine considers marijuana a "psychoactive drug that triggers addiction and lifelong chronic brain disease". Don't let Blythe become known as a desperate city that approved dispensaries as a last ditch effort to make money. Money alone can never compensate for the increased crime and dangers to Blythe. Contact the Riverside County District Attorney for more information. Preserve Blythe's integrity; vote NO. By: Oscar G. Galvan Bart Fisher Doris Morgan Hayes Adolfo Paglinawan Joseph DeConinck Rebuttal to Arguments Against There has never been a survey taken to tally Blythe medical marijuana patients; the figure of 200 quoted by opponents of a dispensary is a fabrication. Likewise, the claim that only 5% of patients have a debilitating illness is questionable in that doctor/patient files are strictly confidential and opponents have no access to them. It is not a gateway drug; studies have shown that when a patient is given access to a dispensary, they are not exposed to other drugs pushed by black market dealers and less likely to use them. California Student Survey states marijuana use by teens dropped dramatically after voters legalized medical marijuana. Denver's crime statistics show that legalizing medical marijuana caused no increase in crime. The California Police Chief's Association is supporting regulation of medical marijuana dispensaries. In 2009, the American Medical Association asked the federal government to reconsider marijuana's classification as a Schedule I drug, recognizing its medicinal value. A national survey of physicians conducted found that 73% supported use of marijuana to treat nausea, pain and other symptoms... 56% would recommend marijuana to patients if permitted by state law. DEA chief administrative law judge Francis Young, ruled: "Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within the supervised routine of medical care ... It would be unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance." By: Mike Evans, City of Blythe Mayor Larry Kelley, Com. VFW Post 2987 Dan L. Figueroa, Former Commissioner, Board of Paroles David Brooks, MD Director - Palo Verde Healthcare District Stephen Hohn Sr