Date: Tue, 22 Aug 1995 07:59:12 -0400
From: [canor m l] at [igc.apc.org] (Dale Gieringer) (by way of [o--s--n] at [calyx.com] (Carl E. Olsen))
Subject: Cal Poll on Drugs, MJ Shows Mecca a Liar

CAL. HEALTH POLL SHOWS  SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL  MARIJUANA,
CONTRADICTS DIRECTOR OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROGRAMS ANDY MECCA
      A new poll by Mervin Field for the California Center for Health
Improvement shows that Californians remain highly concerned about
illegal drug use, but that  contrary to claims by the state director of
alcohol and drug programs, Dr. Andy Mecca, they do support medicinal
use of marijuana.
      Asked to name which of seven health-risk areas should be top
priority for government spending, a 30% plurality of the poll's 1,510
repondents gave first place to discouraging illegal drug use;  second
place went to encouraging safe sex (17%);  followed by encouraging
proper diet and exercise (13%), encouraging immunization, (12%),
discouraging smoking (8%), discouraging  alcohol abuse (8%), and
encouraging safe driving (6)%.
      Simultaneously, discouraging drug use was ranked as the area in
which government efforts have been least effective:  47% of
respondents called current efforts successful, versus 50%
unsuccessful.  Efforts to combat smoking were ranked most
successful  (71% vs 28%).  The poll found that only 16% of
Californians now count themselves as smokers, down from 26% in
1987.
      By a margin of 57-42%, respondents said they favored granting
doctors the ability to prescribe marijuana to a patient if the doctor
determines it medically appropriate.  Only 22% favored similar
prescriptions for cocaine or crack, and 26% for heroin.
      The poll's results on medical marijuana directly contradicted a
statement by Andy Mecca, director of the state Department on
Alcohol and Drug Programs, speaking on the Brian Copeland show on
KGO radio August 12th.  Claiming to have previewed the Field poll
results, Mecca said they showed "the vast majority of Californians"
oppose medicinal use of marijuana.   California NORML coordinator
Dale Gieringer disputed Mecca's claim, saying that polls have
consistently shown strong support for medical marijuana, and that
Mecca has a long record of making erroneous and unsubstantiated
misstatements.
      A report on the Field poll results is available from the California
Center for Health Improvement, 1321 Garden Hwy #210, Sacramento
CA 95833:  (916) 646-2149.

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Dale Gieringer (415) 563-5858  // [canor m l] at [igc.apc.org]
2215-R Market St. #278, San Francisco CA 94114