It's not easy collecting signatures to decriminalize marijuana, even for medical purposes only. Just ask the people who have been pounding D.C. streets with petitions in their hands. Then there are the folks whom they don't even bother to ask. And, as with any signature-driven referendum, they aren't sure how many of the signatures they have are valid.
Opponents contend that the initiative is the first step toward wider drug use.
Supporters say the initiative is carefully crafted to limit use strictly for medicinal users seeking relief from the pain or nausea of AIDS treatment, chemotherapy or glaucoma. Unfailingly polite, he asks for a moment of your time and, when granted, runs through a citizenship checklist. Standing outside the Safeway grocery store on Alabama Avenue SE yesterday, Mr. Turner shivered in the wind as he sang his song and defended the controversial initiative, which has drawn fire from many critics. I'm tired, I'm cold. I'm not doing this so people can party.