Voters who passed Oregon's medical marijuana law in 1998 were told about 500 people a year would apply to use the drug for relief from debilitating medical conditions such as cancer.

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But it has mushroomed far beyond that, and now has nearly 15,000 patients with 17-hundred more applying for new or renewed permits each month.

People allowed to grow the drug surpass 4,000, and police and prosecutors say things are getting out of hand.

Some gets onto the black market at high prices and Oregon State Police say that of the 46 illegal crop seizures they took part in last year, 15 involved medical marijuana growers.

But patient advocates say the real problem is filling the need--that the demand for medical marijuana is about ten times the supply.

Supporters are looking for an expansion of the program. Opponents want it repealed. Voters could decide next year.