cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Backers Seek Support in Congress





Medical Marijuana Backers Seek Support in Congress
Posted by CN Staff on June 13, 2005 at 15:07:05 PT
By Richard Cowan
Source: Reuters
Washington, D.C. -- Supporters of medical marijuana said on Monday they were gaining support in Congress but not enough to pass a measure expected in the U.S. House of Representatives this week that would prevent the federal government from prosecuting patients who use the drug.Conservative California Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher will team up with liberal New York Democratic Rep. Maurice Hinchey on a measure that would prohibit the U.S. Justice Department from going after patients in 10 states that allow the use of marijuana as prescribed by their doctors.
A vote could come as early as Tuesday when Rohrabacher and Hinchey attempt to attach their amendment to a bill to fund Justice Department activities next year.On June 6, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the federal government had the power to stop cancer patients and others from smoking home-grown marijuana, even where it is legal under state law.California is the most populous state allowing patients to use marijuana. Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington have similar laws.Smoking marijuana can ease nausea caused by cancer treatments and can stimulate appetite in patients too sick to eat.The Supreme Court ruling was a victory for the Bush administration, which has said it would be hard for the government to enforce the nation's drug laws if an exception was made for medical marijuana.But a coalition of lawmakers and health and religious leaders was hoping the House amendment gained strength in the face of recent polls indicating strong public support for medical marijuana.The coalition also hoped a divided Supreme Court, with dissent from Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Clarence Thomas, all conservatives, helped its cause. The three justices argued states should have the authority to set their own laws.Last year, the House defeated similar legislation by a vote of 268-148."There's a growing number of Republicans" favoring the legislation, said an aide to Rohrabacher, who asked not to be identified. He noted that four years ago, only Rohrabacher and one other Republican voted to allow medical marijuana use. "We're hoping to get about 30 by tomorrow," he added.If the measure fails this week, as expected, supporters are expected to try again later this year and in 2006."Seriously ill people should not be subject to criminal sanctions for using marijuana," said Jim Winkler, a United Methodist Church official in Washington.Speaking to reporters, he added his church had "a long record of being anti-alcohol, anti-tobacco, anti-drug. This is not a denomination that is advocating drug use."Angel Raich of Oakland, California, was one of two patients who brought the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The 39-year-old mother of two, who has an inoperable brain tumor and other serious illnesses, was in Washington this week lobbying Congress for the medical marijuana legislation."Justice (John Paul) Stevens, in the Supreme Court decision, specifically said that this issue should be heard in the halls of Congress and that's what I'm here to do," said Raich, adding she needed "cannabis every two hours to survive." Source: Reuters (Wire)Author: Richard CowanPublished: June 13, 2005Copyright: 2005 Reuters LimitedRelated Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmMarijuana Proponents Seek House Vote Tuesdayhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20853.shtmlWhen Judicial Fantasies Take a Toll http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20847.shtmlCongressional Leaders Should Act To Protecthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20843.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #34 posted by ekim on June 14, 2005 at 22:45:49 PT
19 rton ----help book a Leap speaker near you
Jun 15 05 KSTC-AM and KNNG-FM 07:00 AM Howard Wooldridge Sterling Colorado USA 
 Radio stations KSTC-AM and KNNG- FM call in host Betty Carlson welcomes Board Member Howard Wooldridge for a live radio interview to discuss a variety of issues related to American drug policy. Visit http://leap.cc/howard/ for updates on Howard's continuing cross country tour. Jun 15 05 WILK Radio's Sue Henry Show 10:05 AM Peter Christ Pittson Pennsylvania USA 
 Board Member and former Police Captain Peter Christ will appear on the Sue Henry Show for the second time in four months. Mr. Christ's understanding of the relationship between illegal drugs and violence, his insight into ways to reduce the harms caused by drug prohibition and his front line personal experience in the war on drugs all bring an understanding that few can match. Listeners in the Pennsylvania area can tune in to 910 AM Scranton, 980 AM Wilkes-Barre or 1300 AM Hazelton to hear this very informative broadcast. Jun 15 05 Sterling Journal-Advocate Newspaper 02:30 PM Howard Wooldridge Sterling Colorado USA 
 No one is more sterling and more of an advocate for a sensible drug policy than Board Member Howard Wooldridge. Howard will be interviewed by Michael Becker, Editor of the Sterling Journal-Advocate Newspaper. Topics sure to come up are the Supreme Court's recent ruling on medical marijuana, the vast waste of tax payer money and the destruction of families caused by America's failed drug policies. Visit the Journal-Advocate web site at http://www.journal-advocate.com for more information. Follow Howard on his cross country quest to end the failed war on drugs at http://www.LEAP.cc/Howard Jun 15 05 KBAR 1230AM Radio with Zeb Bell 08:30 AM Howard Wooldridge Jerome Idaho USA 
 Listeners of Jerome, Idaho radio station KBAR 1230AM, will get the opportunity to tune into the Zeb Bell show as he interviews Board Member Howard Wooldridge about America's failed war on drugs. Howard will be discussing issues such as mandatory minimums, medical marijuana, methamphetamine production and issues that have a direct impact on the Jerome, Idaho area. Howard will also be discussing his and Misty's (his faithful horse) cross country journey to spread the word of LEAP. Follow Howard and Misty at http://www.LEAP.cc/Howard 
http://www.leap.cc/events
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #33 posted by afterburner on June 14, 2005 at 15:49:11 PT
See, That Wasn't So Difficult
Senate votes to apologize for failing to outlaw lynching
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/11886240.htm [subscription site]
Kansas City Star, MO - 22 hours ago
WASHINGTON - (KRT) - The US Senate apologized Monday for never having outlawed lynching, which between 1880 and 1960 took the lives of more than 4,700 people ... Lest we forget lynching legacy
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050614/OPINION/506140357
Indianapolis Star, IN - 14 hours ago
... and Anthony Crawford would have been spared had there been a federal law against lynching. ... If the Senate truly wants to apologize, he added, "let it name the ... Now, could the Senate and the House of Representatives just apologize for not allowing medical cannabis all these years, for forcing medical cannabis patients to suffer or to live in fear, all based on racist fears and unscientic political propaganda?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #32 posted by global_warming on June 14, 2005 at 15:18:23 PT
Answer The Phone
You can bet them phones are ringing tonight, every important law enForcement officer is calling their representative, this Hinchey amendment cannot be passed, and the righteous christian Mark Souder is the loudest mouthpiece for the prohibitionists at this time.The heat is on, the summer solstice is but a week of days to come. Poll after poll has clearly voted, the Federal government, is stepping into deep shit. It is time, to correct the hangups and mistakes of the Anslingers and the mindset that has held our modern world from growing.I may never understand the mind of a human being that was born in the early 1900s, especially in the 1920', with the end of WW1, how many Americans came back with twisted bodies, lifelong testaments, of the new worlds brutal skill to make war.We can do much better, we can make this world a garden.gw
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #31 posted by global_warming on June 14, 2005 at 14:56:55 PT
One More Time
" Souder dismisses the effort as a political, not scientific, attempt to gradually legalize marijuana. "http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/4607948/detail.htmlThe honorable Mark Souder seems to miss the mark, for is he not also a politician, who is politicizing the continued prohibition, the continued locking into cages of people who use cannabis, yes Mark, you are doing the work of the Lord, yes Mark, you will go to Heaven.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #30 posted by FoM on June 14, 2005 at 14:54:33 PT
global warming
I made a mistake and was trying to fix something on another article. I didn't know it changed this thread when I accidentially entered the wrong article. If I unedit this article our two posts will disappear. Do you want me to do that? I will. Sorry for my mistake.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #29 posted by global_warming on June 14, 2005 at 14:50:58 PT
Something Is Wrong
The counter shows 30, yet the last post viewable post is #28.I did reeboot and flushed the cache..May have to switch to Linux..gw
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #28 posted by FoM on June 14, 2005 at 11:04:46 PT
Just a Comment
I'm trying to watch C-Span, and get work done around home and listen to music and all I can say is why would anyone want to be involved in politics. If anyone ever called me a gentle lady or gentle woman whatever they call them then proceed to read me a riot act I just lose it.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #27 posted by Hope on June 14, 2005 at 10:26:52 PT
The freaks! Where is wisdom?
Mercy!This is worse, much worse than watching sausage made.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #26 posted by Hope on June 14, 2005 at 10:18:20 PT
Reps sure are bringing up "drugs" often...
but not Hinchley-Rohrabacher.Lot's of mentions of "Meth, and other drugs".
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #25 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on June 14, 2005 at 09:34:29 PT
House Current Actvities Page
Here is the house's current activities page that is updated as thing are happening.http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #24 posted by Hope on June 14, 2005 at 09:32:48 PT
From the information Kap referenced, comment 19...
"Marihuana-smoking at women’s bridge parties has become frequent, the parties usually ending up in wild carousels, sometimes with men joining the orgies."Dang! And we thought our sweet hat wearing, white glove wearing, flowered dress wearing grandmothers were just playing bridge with their friends!If those women had known what was being said about them...and I'm sure they didn't...I would dare say there would be some blistering words said and some iron skillets wielded.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #23 posted by kaptinemo on June 14, 2005 at 09:20:59 PT:
Been looking on C-SPAN as well
I haven't seen anything yet. One could interpret this as a good sign; the Representatives are perhaps having a discussion amongst themselves as to the wisdom of going against the evidence provided by the recent polls that there IS NO SUPPORT WORTH MENTIONING FOR ANTI-MEDICAL MARIJUANA INITIATIVES, AND PLENTY OF SUPPORT FOR MMJ.The people have spoken loud and clear. The Supreme Court may be largely immune from participatory democracy, but the Congress certainly isn't. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #22 posted by Hope on June 14, 2005 at 09:19:01 PT
C-Span
Watching it, for the moment, here, too. Maybe it's already been voted on.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #21 posted by FoM on June 14, 2005 at 09:10:01 PT
Hope
I looked and can't find anything on C-Span. I'm listening to music but have C-Span on and the sound muted so I can read the captions and nothing so far.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #20 posted by Hope on June 14, 2005 at 08:53:11 PT
Vote today on Hinchley/Rohrabacher
Will it be on C-Span coverage of the House of Representatives?Is it scheduled for any particular time?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #19 posted by kaptinemo on June 14, 2005 at 08:08:15 PT:
Some stunning research
I used to think I was up on the history of cannabis prohibition in the US but was floored when I stumbled across this in just the last few minutes. If I am boring anyone with this, I apologize in advance, but I believe it is of such importance today, given the present day collusion of anti-drug organizations and industries that would be adversely affected by cananbis relegalization JUST AS SOME CAN BE LEGITIMATELY SHOWN TO HAVE BEEN BACK THEN that I felt it necessary to bring this to the attention of the readers, post-haste.Most of us know the barebones of the history of cannabis prohibition, and the how the AMA felt about it courtesy of the testimony their Dr. Woodward gave at the hearings in 1937. I had no idea that the same Dr. Woodward had been having the bureaucratic equivalent of a running gun battle in the street with Anslinger for YEARS about this matter. Woodward's effort at the time exposed a *de facto* conspiracy:*Smelling a conspiracy, Dr Woodward complained about the situation in a letter to Anslinger (30 July 1932): "In any event, the criticism of my course is so widespread and has reached such high places that I have no doubt whatsoever that it has been deliberately promoted to serve the ulterior purpose of some interest that is unwilling to be known in connection with the matter" *http://www.rexresearch.com/hhist/hhist3~1.htm#anslingerNote the date: 5 YEARS before Woodward showed up in Congress the fateful day cannabis was made illegal to testify against such an action, basing his objection upon known science. His activity in bringing the truth to the American people and the efforts of those who wanted that truth buried and who went to great lengths to slander him and call his professional credentials into question have an eery similarity to today's antis.This is an extraordinarily detailed article, and well worth your time...if you have it; the amount of information is staggering.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #18 posted by mayan on June 14, 2005 at 07:29:36 PT
kap'n
An interesting,enlightening read. Both parties are war parties. The Republicrats are like Orwell's "inner party" from 1984. Bring down the bums. All of em'...The Downing Street Memo:
http://www.downingstreetmemo.com/Why Did the Trade Center Skyscrapers Collapse?
http://www.lewrockwell.com/reynolds/reynolds12.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #17 posted by kaptinemo on June 14, 2005 at 06:44:35 PT:
Unrelated: for Mayan and others
I've just come across something that I believe that anyone concerned for the direction of this nation after the revelations of the Downing Street Memo(s) ought to take a serious look at. It is an excerpt from an upcoming book:The War Path of Unity by Joshua Frank
www.dissidentvoice.org
June10, 2005
http://www.dissidentvoice.org/June05/Frank0610.htmI always wondered why my man Dennis the K. allowed the anti-war plank of his campaign stance to shrivel up. I was holding out great hope that he would eventually be heard instead of silenced. Now I think I know. I'm feeling REALLY down now.(And I've made no secret of my former firebreathing days as one of Uncle's 'instruments of policy'; dare question my patriotism only if you're feeling suicidally depressed. But this war is what my instructors would have called an 'unjust war', an 'illegal war, an 'immoral war'...as if you couldn't call every war that. Wiping yourself with both the Constitution and the Geneva Convention and then publicly, unashamedly brandishing the soiled documents for all to see as if that was something to be proud of makes me think not only has the Roman Emperor Caligula been reborn, but cloned. This bunch running things are as sick and twisted as he was.) This goes back to what I said about 'labels'; they don't mean diddly anymore. "Meet the new boss; same as the old boss." 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #16 posted by potpal on June 14, 2005 at 05:00:12 PT
Translation
>(The Supreme Court ruling was a victory for) the Bush administration, which has said it would be hard for the government to enforce the nation's drug laws if an exception was made for medical marijuana.Translation:
It would be hard for the government to continue to seize people's property, enslave and control them otherwise. Also, hard for the government to continue to waste zillions of tax payers dollars in a cultural war against their own citizens. Hard for the government to rationalize the gazillions of tax payers dollars to employ all those under DEA command. Some leos may need to be laid off eventually. May need to shut down some prisons, dismantle the police state that we live under. That would be tragic indeed...NOT.They make exceptions every day in light of the fact that their are thousands of dangerous, often abused drugs that are regulated and on the market, even pushed on you through advertising and your doctor with a 'first one is free' strategy. What difference does one more make?If medpot makes it hard to enforce the nation's drug laws then the obvious is to change the nation's damn drug laws!Sow every seed.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by kaptinemo on June 14, 2005 at 04:52:42 PT:
Labels
Ever wonder how the Parties (I should say 'party'; like every vulture, it has two wings, but one body) got their names?To be a Republican used to mean that you favored a constitutional republic. But it had deeper meanings. To favor a republic over mob rule (the very old Greek meaning of 'demos'). This goes all the way back to Aristotle and his belief that nations had life cycles: republic to democracy to tyranny. In a republic, the 'best and the brightest', the 'natural aristocracy', would arise. They weren't perfect, but they had a grasp of history and human nature and crafted laws more or less sensibly.But things would eventually erode when the 'demos' became politically empowered and learned they could vote to appropriate their fellow citizen's earnings and labors via taxes and the rot begins. Finally, things get so bad everybody is yelling for the 'man on the white horse', a dictator, to save them.That was the original idea of classic political thought.So...considering that so many supposed Republicans are doing the exact same thing the Democrats had been doing - using the machinery of The State to impose their ideological and economic will on the country - what good are the old labels? None at all. Like I said, different colored wings, but the very same vulture's body...which is busily picking at the still living body of the Constitution. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by MikeEEEEE on June 14, 2005 at 04:28:28 PT
History will tell
How the House is controlled by corporate republicons, who do not care about patients, and how their policies brought about suffering.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by kaptinemo on June 14, 2005 at 04:10:21 PT:
Ol' Smokin' Joe Califano is at it again
Libby over at LastOneSpeaks
http://lastonespeaks.blogspot.com/ makes some deft and very cogent observations concerning the prohibs latest whining about the upcoming Hinchet/Rohrabacher vote. It seems that Joe Califano has once more stepped to the plate. What he has to say is so rank with hypocrisy that it surpasses his usual norm.I don't want to steal her thunder; just go see. It's enough, as a co-worker used to say, to "p** off The Pope." The depth of outright mendicacy of these people has YET to be plumbed... 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on June 14, 2005 at 01:13:04 PT
Federal government has already lost the war on MMJ
This medical marijuana issue on the federal level is all a waist of time. Everyone knows the federal government does not have the manpower to go into each of the 10 states and muscle the sick into jail. Rhode Island has just past a MMJ bill and they say it will do the governor no good to veto it because it is almost guaranteed to be over riden due to the 34 to 4 vote or something like that. The federal government has already lost the fight against the sick injesting medical marijuana. Congress can go right ahead and not pass H.R. 2087 MMJ bill because it will do them no good at all. People are fed up with the bad drugs the FDA has studied and passed as good. The polls show they are fed up with the poor job of congress and the president, and Polls show support for MMJ. People are fed up with the poor job the federal government has done with the cost of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, the amount of unisured Americans, job losses, possible pension collapses, wars, federal debt, unfair and unlawful practices in the federal level, and about everything else they have done just stinks to hell. AllAmericansDeserveHealthcare
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by Sam Adams on June 13, 2005 at 21:01:17 PT
So let's get this absolutely straight
The people are for medical marijuana by 3 to 1; they've voted it for it time and time again, they all approve of it, for their family members and friends. And our government in Washington is voting to ruthlessly stomp down on these people, directly in the face of scientists, doctors, and even Supreme Court judges who are telling them to STOP! (ok, the SC people are lying, evil people as well, but hell, they did ask Congress to act, even if they knew Congress never will). Is this the "Democracy" we're trying to spread around the world? We're trying to spread something around, but it sure as hell ain't democracy.The smirking fat men in suits are our masters. The more I learn and observe MJ and drug, policy, the more it makes me realize that so many things we were warned about in the past have come true.I can see how the Viet Nam war caused the government to lose credibility with an entire generation. This men are willing to spit in the face of someone who's sick and dying, and yet we're supposed to believe everything else they say. They replace science with lies and pump out more CO2, as other countries clean up their act. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by ekim on June 13, 2005 at 20:20:23 PT
stoping bad journalism RichardCowan
dam Dick what a day -- its about time the people are allowed to hear from you.
 http://www.marijuananews.com  
 
what a fitting day to vote on the med bill --gee its been 5 years allready Peter what a example of a human fighting for freedom.i remember when Peter ran a page add in Veriety he has earned a page for himself.good luck and good health to all 
http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/Peterm.htm
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by FoM on June 13, 2005 at 20:05:43 PT
ACLU Press Release
U.S. Attorney Retracts Threat of Prosecution After Receiving Demand from ACLU of HawaiiJune 13, 2005HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii today said it appreciated the “clarification” of comments by U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo regarding doctors who recommend medical marijuana to their patients. Affirms Doctors Have Constitutional Right to Recommend Medical Marijuana HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii today said it appreciated the "clarification" of comments by U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo regarding doctors who recommend medical marijuana to their patients. "The U.S. Attorney has reversed his inaccurate and intimidating threats and clarified the facts for the benefit of doctors and patients in Hawaii," said Lois Perrin, Legal Director of the ACLU of Hawaii. "Doctors have a right to continue to recommend medical marijuana, and that right is extremely clear under both federal and Hawaii law. In the future we urge the U.S. Attorney be more careful before commenting on a matter that has grave public health implications and impacts thousands of patients and their families." As Mr. Kubo has now recognized, in Hawaii doctors are legally allowed to certify patients with debilitating medical conditions to use marijuana. Kubo last week threatened to arrest doctors who recommend marijuana for their patients based on his inaccurate interpretation of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on medical marijuana in Gonzales v. Raich. The ACLU threatened legal action last week in a letter sent to Kubo, pointing out that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year in Walters v. Conant that doctors have a constitutional right under the First Amendment to recommend and discuss medical marijuana with patients. The U.S. Supreme Court let stand the Ninth Circuit ruling in 2004 by denying the federal government’s request for review. The national ACLU Drug Law Reform Project litigated the Conant case on behalf of about a dozen doctors and patients in California. The ACLU’s letter pointed out that, contrary to Kubo’s earlier statements, the Raich ruling did not address any issues related to the continued validity of state medical marijuana laws or doctors’ rights to recommend medical marijuana. It was limited to the federal government’s power under the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution to enforce federal marijuana laws against individual patients and caregivers who possess or cultivate marijuana for medical purposes. After receiving the ACLU’s letter, Kubo was quoted in the Honolulu Advertiser as stating that the federal government would not seek from the state a list of doctors who certify marijuana use for their patients or prosecute physicians because they recommend the use of marijuana for medical reasons. Even after these media reports, the ACLU said it continues to receive calls of concern from doctors, patients and community members in the wake of Kubo’s errant claims that he could prosecute doctors who, in compliance with state law, recommend medical marijuana and that the Supreme Court’s decision in Gonzales v. Raich was "the death knell to the medical marijuana issue." "Although Mr. Kubo cannot unring the bell entirely because some damage has already been done, his clarification is significant because doctors and patients have the right to know that the marijuana certification process in Hawaii is alive and well," said Perrin. Allen Hopper, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU Drug Law Reform Project, added that the ACLU remains committed to aggressively defending state medical marijuana laws in the wake of the Raich decision, and to defending the First Amendment rights of doctors to recommend the use of medical marijuana to patients as permitted under state law. "We are pleased that U.S. Attorney Kubo has affirmed that doctors in Hawaii have the right under both state and federal law to recommend marijuana use for their patients who have debilitating medical conditions," Hopper said. Contact: media aclu.org For information on the case, Walters v. Conant, see: http://www.aclu.org/DrugPolicy/DrugPolicy.cfm?ID=14058&c=81 For additional information on Gonzales v. Raich, see: http://www.aclu.org/court/court.cfm?ID=18409&c=286 URL: http://www.aclu.org/DrugPolicy/DrugPolicy.cfm?ID=18461&c=81 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by FoM on June 13, 2005 at 18:51:22 PT
Marijuana Policy Project Press Release
Poll: Voters Say "Don't Arrest Medical Marijuana Patients" by 3-1 Margin JUNE 13, 2005 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In a new Mason-Dixon poll released today, registered voters said by a greater than 3-1 margin that they don't want the federal government to arrest medical marijuana patients, even though the Supreme Court has given it permission to do so. In the poll, conducted June 8-11, 68% of voters said medical marijuana patients should not be arrested, compared to just 16% who said they should. Responses varied little by party, age, or gender, with 63% of Republicans, 73% of Democrats, and 68% of independents agreeing that medical marijuana patients should not be arrested. Full details of the survey are available at http://www.mpp.org/2005MasonDixonPoll The survey was released as Supreme Court plaintiff Angel Raich joined religious and medical leaders in an appeal to Congress to pass the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment, which would bar the Justice Department from using any of its funding to interfere with state medical marijuana laws. The amendment is expected to be voted on by the House of Representatives as early as Tuesday. "Last week the Supreme Court said that patients like me must ask Congress to protect us from being arrested and jailed for the simple act of taking our medicine," said Raich, who suffers from an inoperable brain tumor, life-threatening wasting syndrome, and a number of other serious illnesses. "Today, I am asking the House of Representatives to do just that by passing the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment. Every House member needs to understand that a vote against this amendment is a vote to sentence me to death -- and to sentence many thousands of severely ill Americans to needless suffering and pain." In a letter being sent to Congress today, the United Methodist Church declares, "Seriously ill people should not be subject to criminal sanctions for using marijuana if the patient's physician has told the patient that such use is likely to be beneficial. ... We strongly urge you to support an amendment ... that would prohibit the use of federal funds for prosecuting patients, doctors and caregivers who are following state law." Another letter of support is coming from the American Nurses Association (ANA), which has consistently supported legal access to medical marijuana. The ANA supported a similar proposal last year, writing, "ANA opposes the U.S. Department of Justice's willingness to pursue seriously ill people who only seek relief from chronic illnesses, and who are complying with their states' laws." "This new poll confirms that it is not only politically safe for House members to vote to protect patients from arrest, but that it's politically risky for them to vote to against protecting patients from arrest," said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. "This is one of those happy situations where good policy and good politics are one and the same, and we hope Congress is listening." With more than 17,000 members and 120,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP works to minimize the harm associated with marijuana - both the consumption of marijuana and the laws that are intended to prohibit such use. MPP believes that the greatest harm associated with marijuana is imprisonment. For more information, please visit: http://MarijuanaPolicy.org 
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0613-26.htm
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by runruff on June 13, 2005 at 18:33:12 PT:
The Downingstreetmemo.com
Check this out then sigh it. It could be the swan songfor Dubya.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by mayan on June 13, 2005 at 18:21:36 PT
Watching & Waiting
"There's a growing number of Republicans" favoring the legislation, said an aide to Rohrabacher, who asked not to be identified. He noted that four years ago, only Rohrabacher and one other Republican voted to allow medical marijuana use. "We're hoping to get about 30 by tomorrow," he added.Those who fail to support medical cannabis will find themselves looking for work very soon. We will remember and expose you.THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Former Bush Team Member Says WTC Collapse Likely A Controlled Demolition:
http://www.globalnewsmatrix.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=13509/11 'Truth Emergency' event in DC July 22nd - 24th: 
http://truthemergency.us/Kevin Ryan - A Personal Decision:
http://911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=557&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0FEMA was in New York the Night Before 9/11:
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/fematape.html9/11 Truth in Higher Education: A Call to Students & Faculty:
http://911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=559&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by FoM on June 13, 2005 at 18:14:13 PT
Marijuana Policy Project Alert: Ohio
  June 13, 2005 
 
 
 
     
 
   
 Urge Sen. Jim Jordan to schedule a medical marijuana hearingIn February, Sen. Robert Hagan (D-Youngstown) introduced a medical marijuana bill, S.B. 74, which was referred to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice. Unfortunately, S.B. 74 has stalled in committee because Sen. Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) — the committee chairman — has delayed a hearing for the bill. We need you to speak out and get Sen. Jordan to call a hearing on S.B. 74.Please do two quick things to make this happen.1. - Please urge Sen. Jordan to schedule S.B. 74 for a hearing. Sen. Jordan has the authority to give the bill the attention it deserves, but you have the power to influence him to act.2. - Please urge Sen. Jordan's fellow committee members to encourage him to schedule a hearing.
Please remember to be polite and courteous when contacting legislators. We want to inspire them, not alienate them.https://ssl.capwiz.com/mpp/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7714856When Sen. Hagan first introduced S.B. 74 — which would protect medical marijuana patients from criminal penalties — the bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice. A committee hearing was scheduled for March 23; sadly, Sen. Jordan decided to postpone the hearing until an unspecified date. Please urge him to act now.If you have read this far and have not contacted Sen. Jordan yet, please click here to do so now. Then, click here to contact his fellow committee members.With your help, Ohio could become the 11th state to recognize that seriously ill patients should not be subjected to prosecution simply for reducing their suffering with medical marijuana.Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please forward this message on to your friends and family in Ohio, so that they can make their voices heard.Adam Horowitz, MPP legislative Analyst http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?ID=M69394788093220415635865 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by FoM on June 13, 2005 at 17:48:38 PT
Peter McWilliams
Tomorrow will also be the 5th year anniversary of Peter McWilliams death. It's way past time to change the law. Rest in Peace Peter, we're sure trying.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/Peterm.htm
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by E_Johnson on June 13, 2005 at 15:56:20 PT
OT - Now use your imagination
I'm sure everyone here can imagine the significance of germing a 2000 year old seed from Israel:
2000 year old seed germinated in Jerusalem
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 13, 2005 at 15:10:47 PT
Taylor
I don't mind at all and I really appreciate it!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by Taylor121 on June 13, 2005 at 15:09:07 PT
CALL CONGRESS
Fom I hope you don't mind, but I reposting this once more under this new news post so everybody can see and take action. Please call, it really makes a more personal impact than letters, the best you can do is hopefully have sent a letter a week ago and call to reaffirm your support. This let's them know you truly care about the issue.Call Congress TODAY!
Medical Marijuana Vote Could Happen TuesdayDear ______,Thank you to everyone who has urged lawmakers to protect medical marijuana patients in the wake of the Raich Supreme Court decision. The amendment that gives Congress an opportunity to do just that is up for a vote this week - possibly as soon as Tuesday afternoon! The Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment would protect cancer, AIDS and other patients who use marijuana for medical reasons from federal prosecution. Lawmakers need to hear that their constituents demand protection for sick people, so call your Representative as soon as possible and forward this alert to everyone you know.What to Do: Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Ask to speak to your Representative. If you're not sure who represents you, the operator can tell you. You can also look up your Representative at www.house.gov by entering your zip code at the top.What to Say: Once the operator transfers you to your Representative's office, give the person who answers the phone the following message: "Hi, I'm a constituent. I'm calling to urge my Representative to vote for the Hinchey-Rohrabacher medical marijuana amendment to the Justice spending bill, which will be voted on this week. I would also like him (or her) to send me a letter letting me know how he (or she) voted. This issue is very important to me." If you emailed your Representative last week in support of the amendment, you should mention that. Say that your phone call is a follow-up to an email you sent. (Hinchey-Rohrabacher is pronounced Hinchee Roy Bocker.)Then forward this alert to friends, family, etc.Thank you for all your work to create reforms that will help patients!Sincerely,Bill Piper Director of National Affairs Drug Policy Alliance
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment