We don't have 56 doctors endorsing "Yes on B" - We don't have 72 either.

The correct number is 80

Our direct mail, newspaper and radio advertising have used different numbers to report how many local doctors have endorsed Measure B. The reason for the difference is that we keep getting more endorsements. The medical community is closing ranks to answer claims made by opponents that passage of Measure B would somehow interfere with the legitimate use of medical marijuana by real patients who need it. As Dr. Robert Werra says in his radio spot: "I work as a hospice medical director. The opponents to Measure B are telling us that we have to put up with all the harmful impacts of unlimited marijuana production or else sick patients won't be able to get the medical marijuana they need. "I want you to know this is untrue. In California, any patient is allowed all the medical marijuana their doctor recommends. The medical community is very unhappy with the fraudulent misuse of the compassionate medical marijuana program as a front for the rampant commercial growing of marijuana for profit. That's why 72 Mendocino County physicians have joined me in endorsing Measure B on the June ballot. "Please join us in voting Yes on B to restore some honesty to the compassionate medical marijuana program. Vote Yes on B."

Here's the list of doctors who endorse Measure B as of May 23. Thanks to all of them for coming forward to speak out on this important issue.

Jorge Allende MD
Bruce Andich MD
Margaret Arner MD
Aldis Baltins MD
Randall Bivens MD
Robert Blackwelder MD
Walter Bortz MD
Kristin Bradford MD
Sandy Brown MD
Fredrick Burris MD
Patty Cabaniss MD
Brian Cable MD
Robert Calson MD
Michael Carnevale MD
Theron Chan MD
Lynn Coen MD
Andrew Coren MD
Pablo G Cortina MD
Donald Coursey MD
David DeBooy MD
Gary DeCrona MD
Jordan De-Paz MD
C Evans MD
Larry Falk MD
Gary Fausone MD
Bob Gitlin MD
John Glyer MD
Sam Goldberg MD
Herschel Gordon MD
Monita Green MD
Richard Guthrie MD
Iyad Hanna MD
Ziad Hanna DO
Brian Hanson MD
Russell Hardy MD
Laurence Hartley MD
Carl Henning MD
Kenneth Hoek MD
Chris Ives MD
Paul F. Jepson MD
Jay Joseph MD
Tanya Kalmar MD
Thomas Kilkenny MD
Jonathan Kreger DPM
Trieneke Kylstra MD
Bernard Lemke MD
Rick Lodge MD
Mark Luoto MD
Paul MacDonald MD
Norma Marks MD
Jack Mason MD
Angus Matheson MD
Harry Matossian MD

Sidney Maurer MD
Richard McClintock MD
Dale Morrison MD
Jon Portnoff MD
James Pretorius MD
Geoffrey Rice MD
John Rochat MD
Glen Rogers MD
Robert Rushton MD
B Sheppard MD
Philip Smith MD
Laurie Spence MD
Joseph Stetz MD
Philip Tamanaha MD
Guy Teran MD
Jonathan Travis MD
Jason Trent MD
Marvin Trotter MD
Vincent Valente MD
Jens Vinding MD
Robert Werra MD
Kirsten Whelan MD
John Williams MD
Laura Winkle MD
Steve Wirth MD
Randall Woesner MD
Ronald T. Zimmerman MD

60 Minutes show on Prop. 215 / CA Medical Marijuana

Part ONE of TWO



Part TWO of TWO

Violent, polluting pot industry

The Willits News

Article Launched: 04/30/2008 12:13:58 PM PDT

As a physician practicing in Ukiah for the past 45 years, I have witnessed the transformation of our peaceful, beautiful county into a violent crime center of polluting pot production. Medical marijuana contributes to this by becoming a smoke-screen for commercial growing and selling of marijuana in Mendocino County.

The current 25 plant plus two pounds of medical marijuana allowance in Mendocino County is clearly excessive. It encourages, enables, and motivates false medical card abuse for the sake of big profits. It additionally puts more pot into our local area and into the lungs and developing brains of our children and adolescents.

Measure B will close this medical loop hole. Measure B will reduce medical marijuana amounts to the State of California recommended levels that is six adult plants or 12 immature plants plus eight ounces of marijuana for medical purposes. This is more than enough for compassionate use for serious medical illness. Over 40 compassionate Ukiah physicians have endorsed Measure B to restore honesty and integrity to this medical marijuana program and urge you to join them in voting Yes on Measure B. Overwhelming passage will not restore our county to the beautiful, peaceful county of years past. But it is a start.

Please contribute to this start voting Yes on Measure B.

Robert Werra M.D.
Ukiah

Sides being chosen over marijuana initiative

By BEN BROWN The Daily Journal

Article Last Updated: 04/16/2008 08:34:16 AM PDT

While debates rage in public forums and private homes over the future of medical marijuana in Mendocino County, both sides of the debate have been marshaling their forces for Election Day.

Both sides have received endorsement from prominent members of the community, though the Yes on B Coalition has received a larger number of official commitments.

The announcement by Yes on B that it has received the support of 40 local physicians was the latest in a long list of supporters that the measure had garnered.

"The medical community is very unhappy with the fraudulent misuse of the compassionate medical marijuana program as a front for the rampant commercial growing of marijuana for profit, with all the harmful impacts that has caused this county," said Dr. Robert Werra.

Werra joins members of county government and law enforcement in endorsing Measure B, including Ukiah Police Department Chief Chris Dewey, Deputy District Attorney Matt Finnegan, Mendocino County Sheriff's Lt. Kurt Smallcomb, County Supervisor Jim Wattenburger, Ukiah City Council Members Phil Baldwin, Mari Rodin, John McCowen and Benj Thomas; and Ukiah Mayor Doug Crane.

Measure B has also received endorsement from several local organizations, including the Mendocino County Deputy Sheriff's Association, The Mendocino Farm Bureau and the City Councils of Fort Bragg and Willits.

The Ukiah City Council is scheduled to consider endorsement for the second time tonight.

While not as numerous, supporters of No on B are equally fervent in their support.

Former Mendocino County Assessor-Clerk Recorder Marsha Wharff was one of several people to sign an argument placed in the county election pamphlet. Her name was later removed on a technicality but it did not blunt her support for those fighting Measure B.

"I will continue to oppose Measure B," Wharff said. "I am interested in the medical part of marijuana. If you've never had to care for another person, you don't have a clue about what this medicine can do for pain management, calming anxiety and promoting wellness of mind," said Wharff, who cares for her husband, who has cancer.

Others opposed to Measure B include attorney Susan Jordan, county Supervisor David Colfax, Dr. Peter Keegan, Dr. William Courtney, attorney Keith Faulder and cancer survivors Kate Babcock Magruder and Carrie Hamburg.

Measure B, which was placed on the ballot by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors in January, would repeal Measure G and set medical marijuana limits in Mendocino County at the state limits of six mature or 12 immature plants and eight ounces of dried marijuana.

Measure G, which was passed by Mendocino County voters in 2000, instructed law enforcement to make the prosecution of marijuana gardens of 25 plants or fewer the lowest possible priority.

The election is scheduled for June 3.

For more information on No on B, go to http://www.nomeasureb.org.

For more information on Yes on B, go to http://www.yesonbcoalition.org.

Ben Brown can be reached at udjbb@pacific.net.

Mendocino doctors back limits on pot growing

By MIKE GENIELLA
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Wednesday, April 16, 2008

UKIAH - Leading Mendocino County physicians Tuesday endorsed a local ballot measure to sharply limit marijuana cultivation, calling current county guidelines "fraudulent."

Some of the best-known doctors in the Ukiah Valley joined three dozen others in the medical community to endorse Measure B. If passed in the upcoming June primary, the initiative would impose new local restrictions on the amount of pot individuals may grow and use.

Among the signers were Dr. Frederick Burris, Dr. Don Coursey, Dr. Thomas Kilkinney, Dr. Bernard Lemke, Dr. Harry Matossian, Dr. Jon Portnoff, Dr. Vincent Valente, Dr. Jens Vinding, and Dr. Marvin Trotter, the county's public health officer.

"The medical community is very unhappy with the fraudulent misuse of the compassionate medical marijuana program as a front for rampant commercial growing," said Dr. Robert Werra.

Under Proposition 215, passed statewide in 1996, and subsequent state law, an individual is protected from state prosecution if he has a physician's recommendation and if the amount in his possession is within local guidelines.

State law set a medical marijuana limit of six mature marijuana plants plus ½ pound of dried marijuana. But the legislation allows individual counties to adopt higher limits.

In 2000, Mendocino voters approved a measure allowing an individual to grow up to 25 plants for personal use, without regard to medical reasons. The measure also directed local law enforcement authorities to make marijuana prosecution the lowest priority.

Medical marijuana advocates are fighting back, contending the current public backlash is being fueled by exaggerated claims of profits, crime and neighborhood fears.

"Measure B does nothing to stop commercial growers. Instead it makes criminals out of residents with small, personal-use gardens," said Laura Hamburg, campaign coordinator for the No On Measure B campaign.

You can reach Staff Writer Mike Geniella at 462-6470 or mgeniella@pressdemocrat.com

40 Local Doctors Endorse Measure B

"We urge you to join us and vote Yes on Measure B," say 40 local physicians together with other medical professionals who have signed a Health Professionals endorsement for the ballot measure on local marijuana policy.

Recently, the medical staff of the Ukiah Valley Medical Center voted almost unanimously to endorse Measure B.

The Health Professionals endorsement for Measure B is circulating among physicians elsewhere in Mendocino County and the list of physician endorsers is expected to grow.

"The medical community is very unhappy with the fraudulent misuse of the compassionate medical marijuana program as a front for the rampant commercial growing of marijuana for profit, with all the harmful impacts that has caused the county," said Dr. Robert Werra.

This overwhelming support from the medical community is an important factor in the election campaign, since the opponents of Measure B have relied on statements by two local doctors who give out medical marijuana recommendations.

Under Proposition 215 and the subsequent state law SB 420, any person is protected from state prosecution under marijuana laws if they possess a physician's recommendation and if the amount in their possession is less than the limit prescribed under law.

Under SB 420, the statewide medical marijuana limit is 6 mature plants or 12 immature plants plus 1/2 pound of dried marijuana, but individual counties can adopt higher limits. Another important part of SB 420 is a provision that any medical patient can possess a higher amount of marijuana if a physician certifies that their condition requires it.

Mendocino County adopted a 25-plant limit. Measure B will reduce that limit to the same as the statewide standard. Measure B will also repeat Measure G from 2000, which tried to block local enforcement of all marijuana laws.

Among the medical professionals who have endorsed Measure B are:

Baltins	Aldis	MD
Blackwelder	Robert S	MD
Burris	Fredrick	MD
Cabaniss	Patty	MD
Chan	Theron	MD
Coen	Lynn	MD
Cortina	Pablo G	MD
Coursey	Donald	Physician
DeBooy	David	MD
Falk	Larry	MD
French	Lisa	Ultrasound Technician
Frye	Fredric	DVM
Goldberg	Sam	MD
Hanna	Ziad	DO
Hanna	Iyad	MD
Hardy	Russell	MD
Henderson	Bonnie	Family Nurse Practitioner
Hoek	Kenneth	MD
Ives	Chris	MD
Jackson	Valerie	ST
Jepson	Paul F	MD
Kalmar	Tanya	MD
Kesler	Kim	SUN
Kilkenny	Martha	Family Nurse Practitioner
Kilkinney	Thomas	MD
Koeninger	Laura	Registered Nurse
Leamon	Sue	Family Nurse Practitioner
Lemke	Bernard	MD
Lodge	Rick	MD
Lund	Jason	Pharmacist
Marks	Norma	MD
Matossian	Harry	MD
Morrison	Dale	Cardiologist
Portnoff	Jon	MD
Pretorius	James	MD
Rice	Geoffrey	MD
Smith	Philip	MD
Tamanaha	Philip	MD
Taylor	Patrick	Family Nurse Practitioner
Teran	Guy	MD
Trent	Jason	MD
Trotter MD	Marvin	MD County public health officer
Valente	Vincent P	MD
Vinding	Jens	MD
Werra	Robert	MD
Whelan	Kirsten	MD

Marijuana mythology?

Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
Article Last Updated: 03/21/2008 08:47:52 AM PDT

To the Editor:

The marijuana advocates use prescriptions (Rx's) for pot, to legitimize their growing marijuana. They speak of the ill who suffer unless they can obtain marijuana. This Rx argument is seriously flawed.

An Rx has a dose, a frequency of use, an amount, and is filled by a reliable pharmacy. Information is given concerning and the possible long term consequences. There is a limit to the refills, and the quantity of use is monitored, as well as the benefits or problems associated with the use of the Rx drug.

Marijuana Rx's are predominately given out by physicians, who do this for financial gain. The patient arrives with cash, tells a story. The physician then gives them their Rx, usually with little or no exam, and sends them on their way. The patient is not required to follow up, or verify that the Rx is effective. There is no dose, and there are no instructions on when, or how much should be used. Some of these encounters occur after the patient waits in a long line, sometimes stretching out a doorway onto the street. I had the opportunity to hear a doctor from Berkeley who is an advocate for marijuana speak. He has testified in front of the Supreme Court on behalf of marijuana as a Rx drug. I asked him how many patients he saw in the past few years for pot Rxs. His answer, 3,000. I then asked of the 3,000 individuals who came in, how many left without an Rx for marijuana? His answer, none. His charge for this service? $150 per person. Do the math: $450,000, paid in cash. No wonder he advocates for this practice. His list of diagnosis for pot included a juvenile who was stressed with being in juvenile hall, and wanted to smoke pot to sleep at night, while incarcerated.

Please don't be confused by my point here, there are a few people out there who benefit from smoking pot. I worked at the local AIDS clinic in the early 1990s. I have been a physician for the past 29 years, there are cancer patients, and others who use pot and benefit. Most smoke very modest amounts, and prefer not to be intoxicated, or high. There are local physicians who are careful, and do give good advice on marijuana.

What we have in Mendocino County is a system that is built on lies, and deceit. The growers stand behind the medical Rx argument. The pot grown here is sold elsewhere; the money comes back, and is not taxed. The criminal element becomes involved because of the cash involved, and because the entire enterprise is done behind closed doors. The sheriff and the police look the other way. The DA does not prosecute, and if they do, they do not seem to be able to win. The board of supervisors has placed a measure to repeal Measure G on the June ballot. I would like to support them. Repealing Measure G is a good first step. Having our DA request that physicians who run marijuana clinics be shut down by the state medical board is also needed. If we work together, we an return Mendocino County to the safe and serene place I moved to 19 years ago.

James Pretorius.
Potter Valley

A doctor’s view of marijuana

To the Editor:

On Dec. 26, 2007, Linda Williams published a well-researched article in the UDJ that examined the use of marijuana as medicine. Most of this article was information dealing with the ill effects of marijuana usage. On Feb. 22, 2008, Mr. Tiny Harris followed with a letter to the editor, again pointing out the very serious medical conditions affecting the heart, liver and lungs. And in truth these are serious medical conditions, bringing on hard times and situations that are costly. Since Ms. Williams’ article back in December there has not been one pro marijuana spokesperson that has written letters to refute our contradict what she had to say. Mr. Harris can wait until hell freezes over, and not one pro marijuana spokesperson will be able to contradict what he has learned, the awful truth about marijuana. That should tell the critical thinker something.

The Ukiah City Council and the Board of Supervisors have listened and steps are now in place to repeal Measure G in an attempt to bring some sanity and control back into our county. I applaud and commend their efforts. Since they have initiated those first steps, several letters have appeared in the UDJ asking that Measure G not be repealed. Some of these letters are almost in-your-face confrontations. All have been ridiculous. Each of those writers have identified themselves to the public as pro-marijuana spokespersons, and in doing so have demonstrated to the public that somehow they have a stake in marijuana and its usage. Who are these stakeholders and why should they care so much about marijuana? First, there is the legitimate medical marijuana-using patient. We all know they exist, and we share with their concern and welfare. Then there are the users and abusers that can’t seem to get enough. They started out as innocent experimenters and have found that the price for enlightenment is pretty high. Next is the dealer, grower, or profiteer that reaps a huge reward from the first two categories. It is this group that keeps marijuana going. It is this group that will kill to keep their profits coming in. Without this group, and their ever-ready supply to keep the first two categories going, marijuana would not be a problem. Then there is another rare category that may be present. That is the very rare case of altruism, in which someone mistakenly promotes the use of marijuana, not to profit, but acts as an enabler for someone else because they feel it helps.

Some of the letters to the editor have been written by the above marijuana stakeholders. Some writers have expressed their feelings that it will hurt the “Mom and Pop” growers. Who are the “Mom and Pop” growers? Are they growing something legal or illegal? And why should this stakeholder care? One writer has a concern that our children’s future will be destroyed if we repeal Measure G. She somehow feels that if we repeal Measure G, the children will become dope dealers. Is this type of thinking a product of enlightenment? Another writer feels that “Pot growers are the future!” Wow! If this is the future, medical science must start finding a way to perform brain transplants, we are all lost. Marijuana has been compared with growing grapes for alcohol (wine) consumption. The Bible does say that a little wine is good for the stomach. But it also states that wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging and whomever is fooled thereby is not wise. Some have written that “prohibition never works.” That was true concerning alcohol because alcohol products became known as “bathtub gin” and could be made in secret. Marijuana grows can be easily identified by those that want to find them. Even when grown inside and away from prying eyes the electrical or fuel bills will give them away.

As a medical doctor, what is my stake in being against the widespread use of marijuana? I have been a doctor for nearly forty years. During that time, I dedicated my life to alleviate human suffering. Now a plague is upon us and duty calls to action. Those diseases that Mr. Harris mentioned are real, not imaginary. They are to be fought by all members of the health profession. There can be no advocacy for marijuana. Marijuana is now being touted as a medicine, but even prescription medications are dangerous in the wrong hands. Marijuana, as a medicine, is not being controlled as a medicine, and it is in the wrong hands. A proper medical prescription will include the name of the patient, in some cases the age of the patient, the medication being prescribed, the strength or dosage, and the frequency or how many times per day the medication is to be taken. With marijuana, it is left up to the patient to determine how much marijuana is going to be used an how many times per day it is used. This is bad medicine. And it will eventually bite you, the taxpayer.

In my earlier letter to the Editor, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” I demonstrated that 25 marijuana plants had a potential to generate $100,000 profit; 25 plants could generate as much as 50 pounds of product, at $2,000 per pound. Now, the question must be asked: if marijuana is to be used as a medicine, how much marijuana is required by the legitimate medical patient? Is it the whole 50 pounds that can be generated by the 25 plants? If so, that is nearly one pound per week, and it must be having a disastrous effect on that person. How many times per day would that person be smoking to use one pound per week? Do you see the problem: As a doctor, I see problems with uncontrolled marijuana usage even in a person that is a “legitimate” medical patient using marijuana. I would be willing to bet that the legitimate patient is not using as much marijuana as we may feel they are using. And the fake patient is using as much as they can, but no one is using 50 pounds per year. So where is all of this marijuana going? It is being used somewhere and somehow for profit.

I mentioned that as a taxpayer, you will eventually feel the bite from marijuana usage, whether it be legal or illegal. So why legalize it? It will cause all kinds of medical conditions, with long term use, that will require medical intervention. The person that has been using it long term and acquired the medical condition will not be paying the bill. Most likely, the will be on welfare. That means MediCal. The tax payer will be paying those medical bills. If an insurance company has to pay, you can bet that the rates will increase, so it is only a losing proposition if marijuana is left out of control. I am sorry, Mom and pop growers growers, I have no sympathy for you.

What are the solutions?

First step: repeal Measure G by voting for Measure B.

Second step: have the doctors determine how much marijuana is required by their patients.

Third step: pressure must be placed on those who sit in high office to find better medical alternatives for those legitimate patients that use marijuana. We must find better ways to give them hop and alleviate their suffering.

Fourth step: There must be an all-out war on all illegal drug substances that are robbing this nation of such great promise. There are drugs much worse than marijuana, but marijuana is often the gateway to the enlightenment that these drugs promise.

James Cruise, M.D.
Redwood Valley

Letters to the Editor
Monday, March 10, 2008
Ukiah Daily Jounal