Campaign Ad Misleading On Marijuana
by Paul Queary, The Associated Press

October 31, 1998 - Anchorage Daily News - letters@adn.com

JUNEAU - A newspaper ad opposing a ballot measure that would legalize marijuana for some medical uses misrepresents the American Cancer Society's position on therapeutic pot.

The ad paid for by Alaskans for Truth on the Medical Marijuana Initiative Committee reads: "The American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society have rejected marijuana as medicine."

While the AMA does oppose medical marijuana, the cancer society takes a more neutral position, questioning whether marijuana is any more effective than legal medicines, including a marijuana derivative available as a pill to treat nausea in chemotherapy patients.

"As a medication for controlling nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, smoked marijuana appears to offer little if any benefit over legally available medications," the society wrote in a position statement that does not endorse or denounce the initiative.

"The most significant disadvantages cited against broader availability of marijuana are social and legal rather than medical and, as such, are best resolved by social and legal institutions."

Matthew Fagnani, chairman of the Anchorage-based anti-initiative group, said the ad was based on a pamphlet provided by the Drug Free America Foundation that apparently referred to the cancer society's opposition to a more sweeping measure that passed in California two years ago.

"We are going to make the technical change in our ad," Fagnani said. "They're not supporting it either."

Medical marijuana advocates contend that smoking marijuana can ease nausea, promote appetite, assuage chronic pain and still muscle spasms. The initiative would allow patients with a doctor's recommendation to grow and smoke marijuana to treat a short list of ailments including cancer, AIDS, chronic pain and muscle spasms.

Opponents contend the measure is part of a campaign for broader legalization of marijuana and other illegal drugs. They also say it would hamper enforcement of other marijuana laws and send the wrong message to children about marijuana use.

David Finkelstein, campaign manager for the initiative, challenged the ad after it appeared in newspapers this week.

"It's sad to see these last-minute ads misrepresent the ballot measure," Finkelstein said Friday.

The American Cancer Society is letting local chapters decide what position to take on medical marijuana initiatives on ballots in their states. The Anchorage and Fairbanks units voted to remain neutral, saying they support new ways to ease pain and discomfort but don't have sufficient information to take a position, said Melinda Fowler, a spokeswoman for the Anchorage unit.

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