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Alaska Ballot Measure 5
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What Proponents Say
Throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia, many states and countries have recently legalized industrial hemp and medicinal marijuana. Why does Alaska's Ballot Measure 5 go further, legalizing hemp for all uses? Because there simply is no reason to punish responsible adults for using marijuana in the privacy of their own homes.

Opposition to Ballot Measure 5 often focuses on relatively minor issues, such as the age limit of 18 years rather than 21 as for alcohol. However, this distinction reflects marijuana's far lower risk of abuse, and it will permit 18-to-20 year olds to work industrial hemp farms and factories. Opponents assume that marijuana legalization for adults will increase illegal use among young teenagers. Yet, in Holland, where cannabis has been decriminalized for those 18 and over since 1976, rates of adolescent use are far lower, and the average age of first use is higher, than they are in the U.S. Furthermore, Holland's policy reduces the likelihood of marijuana users being exposed to heroin and cocaine dealers.

Ballot Measure 5 specifically calls for legislation prohibiting persons under the influence of hemp from operating motor vehicles or otherwise endangering public safety. It allows local option to further regulate and restrict marijuana use, subject to the constitutionally protected privacy right. Although Ballot Measure 5 orders an advisory panel to explore restitution for those convicted of past marijuana offenses, no expenditure of state funds is mandated. Indeed, we will help reduce the cost of state government by ending the arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment of adult Alaskans who choose marijuana.

Personal choices and public policies about marijuana should be based on scientific information and common sense. Marijuana prohibition is the result of racism and politics, not medical science. There is a long-standing scientific consensus that "Existing social and legal policy is out of proportion to the individual and social harm" (National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, 1972). In 1995, the British medical journal Lancet concluded "the smoking of cannabis, even long term, is not harmful to health." In March 1999, the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine confirmed that marijuana does not cause physical dependence and is not a "gateway" to harder drugs.

In view of its low potential for abuse, hemp's vast potential as a medicinal and industrial product demands its immediate legalization. The 1999 Institute of Medicine report verified the therapeutic value of cannabis. Despite passage of Alaska's medical marijuana initiative in 1998, most patients and their doctors are unable to obtain the drug. Ballot Measure 5 removes all obstacles keeping patients from determining whether marijuana may be beneficial for them.

According to the North American Industrial Hemp Council, hemp fiber makes fine quality paper and construction products such as wafer board (OSB). The stalk is excellent animal bedding and mulch, and it can be used to manufacture concrete or plastics. Hemp seed is highly nutritious, and hemp oil has been widely used in body care products, lubricants, and paints. To say that industrial hemp promises enormous economic opportunities for Alaska is no exaggeration.

Free Hemp In Alaska
907-272-HEMP

What Opponents Say
The purpose of 99Hemp is to legalize marijuana. The initiative defines "hemp" to include marijuana or any other variety of cannabis. It legalizes all aspects of marijuana cultivation and use (not only medicinal use), including drug trafficking.

This dangerous and misleading initiative makes marijuana legally available to 18 year olds, many of whom are still in High School, without parental knowledge or approval. Please do not be misled to believe this initiative is for the development of a "hemp" garment industry. This initiative will make Alaska the "drug haven" of North America.

All Alaskans must send a message that our foundational industries and professions including aviation, oil, fishing, timber, mining, farming, government, teaching, military, tourism and others have no use for marijuana/drug users.

If enacted, 99Hemp will:

Threaten public safety. If it becomes legal, marijuana will be regulated in a similar manner to alcohol. Distribution of marijuana through local liquor stores will make it more readily available and socially acceptable.

Allow more people to be driving under the influence of drugs and endangering the public. Since marijuana is "fat-soluble" its effects persist much longer than alcohol which is water-soluble. A single marijuana cigarette impairs an individual for over twenty-four (24) hours. Marijuana is an addictive drug.

Provide amnesty and mandate destruction of all criminal records related to marijuana convictions. Drug peddling criminals who sold drugs to children or traded drugs for sex would actually have their criminal convictions reversed.

Use your tax dollars to pay "drug dealers and users" restitution for their prior criminal convictions and civil forfeitures. This initiative creates a vast state marijuana bureaucracy.

Prohibit testing for marijuana by employers or insurance companies. The initiative undermines drug-free workplace programs with the resulting dangers and decreased profits for Alaska businesses. Drug users typically are involved in more accidents, file more workers' compensation claims, utilize more health care benefits and are absent from work more often.

Prohibit Alaska employers from engaging in federally-regulated industries including transportation since they will not be able to meet the minimum federal drug-free standards.

Prohibit Alaska law enforcement personnel or funds from being used to assist enforcement of federal marijuana laws governing marijuana-related acts. This would cripple federal investigations of money laundering, racketeering, drug smuggling and drug dealing, making Alaska a major gateway for the U.S. drug trade.

Require the Legislature, Governor, and Attorney General to challenge federal marijuana law in conflict with the initiative. This will put Alaska in opposition with the federal government at a substantial cost to the State.

Endanger the economic, social, moral well-being and safety for all Alaskans, and send the wrong message to our young people.

This initiative is "ill-conceived and devastating" for Alaska.

Please Vote "NO" on Ballot Measure 5.

Lynda Adams
Wevley William Shea
Anchorage
907-274-0020