Marijuana Policy Project hires Riester for campaign

Marijuana Policy Project hired the Riester advertising and communications firm to spearhead a 2010 ballot measure to legalize the medical use of marijuana in Arizona.

The proposed voter initiative would make possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana legal for severely ill patients who have a doctor’s recommendation. The measure also would create dispensaries for the drug, but people without access to the locations could grow their own.

Supporters need to collect 150,000 signatures to get the measure on the 2010 November. The group considered a similar measure for the 2008 election, but opted against it.

Medical marijuana advocates say the drug helps ease pain for some patients, including those with multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS and cancer.

Critics, including some in the medical sector, question marijuana’s effectiveness for those uses.
Thirteen states have medical marijuana programs in place. Although the drug is illegal under federal law, the Obama administration said it will not pursue violators in such programs.

Riester also worked on campaigns against bans on gay marriages, which was defeated in 2006 and passed in 2008.