cannabisnews.com: Vote Moves D.C. Closer To Medical Marijuana
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Vote Moves D.C. Closer To Medical Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on December 13, 2009 at 18:07:32 PT
By James Hohmann and Tim Craig, WP Staff Writers
Source: Washington Post
Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Senate passed a bill Sunday that clears the way for the District government to allow medical marijuana use and to spend local tax dollars to help low-income women pay for abortions.More than a decade ago, D.C. voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that would allow for the possession, use, cultivation and distribution of marijuana if recommended by a physician for serious illnesses.
Initiative 59 passed with 69 percent of the vote in 1998, but before it take effect, Congress passed legislation banning the practice in the District.The latest bill, which passed the House on Thursday, also continues to allow needle-exchange programs in a bid to limit the spread of HIV and AIDS, a strategy that Congress had blocked in the District until 2007. It also provides $752 million in federal funds for the District as part of a larger spending package."This is the biggest win for home rule in decades," said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law this week.The District would join Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington in allowing medical marijuana.D.C. Council member David A. Catania (I-At Large), chairman of the Health Committee, supports medical marijuana but said city leaders will proceed with caution."I wouldn't expect it to be implemented anytime soon, because we are going to need to do thoughtful planning," he said, noting that guidelines must be written about who can grow, distribute and receive marijuana.First, though, the District might need to submit the text of the voter initiative for a 30-day legislative review. During that window, Congress could take the unlikely step of blocking the initiative. If no action is taken, the District government can issue regulations.Aaron Houston, director of government relations for the Marijuana Policy Project, said he thinks medical marijuana could be available in the District by the end of 2010. "They don't have to start over," Houston said.A federal law known as the Hyde Amendment has barred the District and states from using federal money to fund abortions, but states are free to use local tax dollars to cover the cost of the procedure for women who cannot otherwise afford it. Private donations have helped some D.C. women, but supporters of abortion rights say many have been turned away from clinics and hospitals because the District government has had no financing for abortions.The bill also allows the District to continue using local tax dollars to fund needle-exchange programs that provide clean syringes to addicts, part of an effort to stem the spread of AIDS. In 2007, Congress ended a decade-long prohibition against city funding, allowing the D.C. HIV/AIDS Administration to provide four nonprofit agencies with $700,000 to distribute needles in areas where drug trafficking is common.For years, the District has fought what residents see as intrusions into city business by representatives from elsewhere. The city's largely Democratic leadership has complained that times were particularly tough when Republicans were in charge."It's hard to rank these riders except by lives lost," Norton said. "In lives lost, needle exchange [restrictions] would rank as the most lethal."Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) said the Senate vote demonstrates how much the working relationship between the city and Congress has improved since Democrats took over."The District has come a long way," he said. "The support from Congress to the District is at an all-time high. We're glad about the substantive issues."Staff writer Darryl Fears contributed to this report.Source: Washington Post (DC)Author: James Hohmann and Tim Craig, Washington Post Staff Writers Published: Monday, December 14, 2009 Copyright: 2009 Washington Post Contact: letters washpost.com Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ URL: http://drugsense.org/url/gmeyIeO0CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #42 posted by BGreen on December 15, 2009 at 12:45:50 PT
Thanks for the advice, runruff
I'd been trying to disinfect them with a lighter but your way sounds a little less painful.On second thought, maybe it's good and natural to associate pain with Calvina Fay. She's certainly caused enough of it.The Reverend Bud Green
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #41 posted by runruff on December 15, 2009 at 10:39:37 PT
BGreen,
Wash your fingers off with soap!
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Comment #40 posted by FoM on December 15, 2009 at 10:22:56 PT
Hope and BGreen
You made me smile.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #39 posted by Hope on December 15, 2009 at 10:01:36 PT
Comment 38
Nooooooooooooo!
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Comment #38 posted by BGreen on December 15, 2009 at 09:51:37 PT
My biggest worry is
FoM will wake up from surgery and think she's Calvina Fay.Oh, noooooooo!!!!! LOLThe Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #37 posted by BGreen on December 15, 2009 at 09:48:00 PT
I might add
Sometimes the biggest blessing we receive is because of the many blessings we bestow upon others.That's how we feel about you, FoM.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #36 posted by FoM on December 15, 2009 at 09:47:52 PT
BGreen
Thank you so much. I really do appreciate it all.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #35 posted by BGreen on December 15, 2009 at 09:44:44 PT
Actually, FoM
Caring for you is really easy to do. Just read all of these wonderful comments from all of these wonderful friends.Hugs,The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #34 posted by FoM on December 15, 2009 at 09:39:05 PT
BGreen
I will let you know when I find out when the surgery will be. I will be getting a call from the surgeon to go see him within the next 2 weeks. Then I will know more. Thank you for caring.
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Comment #33 posted by BGreen on December 15, 2009 at 09:29:15 PT
FoM and Hope
FoM, you and Stick are always residing in a little place in my heart. Even if I don't know what problems you're going through, I'm always with you.My mom just had all of her innards put back in place and she's doing better. They don't have to do as much surface work anymore to get to the things they need to fix.You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to, but I would like to know when your surgery is so I can do a little extra praying that day.Hope, you know that I feel the same about you, your husband and family. I also know that you and FoM return this care, concern and compassion for me.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #32 posted by Hope on December 15, 2009 at 06:46:51 PT
"strength, endurance, and wisdom"
She and her C-News are a well spring of that, and she's kept it flowing freely for over a decade now.I'm so thankful that we all found FoM, C-News, and each other.A oasis in a vast desert. A refuge. A well spring. A safe harbor. A place to learn. A meeting of minds. A very good thing. I'm so thankful for FoM, and Stick, the wonderful man that has supported this wonderful woman in her efforts for so long, and C-News and all the people that meet here.
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Comment #31 posted by FoM on December 15, 2009 at 04:48:46 PT
Paint with light
Thank you. I hope you are having a nice holiday season.
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Comment #30 posted by Paint with light on December 15, 2009 at 01:34:47 PT
ditto comment 14
Thanks for your strength, endurance, and wisdom.And thanks for being a good referee on occasion.May your pain be short,your healing quick,and your relief long lived.Sending lots of healing vibes your way.Legal like alcohol....closer every day.
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on December 14, 2009 at 10:36:55 PT
Hope
I think I will feel so much better. That is what has been causing a lot of my pain for the last few years. I mentioned that to the doctor and he said yes because it's a slow process sometimes.
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Comment #28 posted by Hope on December 14, 2009 at 10:16:58 PT
Pain
Thinking about it, you've been having this trouble for quite awhile before you got your new Rott.This happening likely is the source of all the illness and pain you've been experiencing for a long time now, like maybe the last three years, even well before it became obvious.And a twinge of political ire... yes... that could make it hurt worse.I think you're fixing to get a new lease on life, woman.
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Comment #27 posted by FoM on December 14, 2009 at 10:00:33 PT
Hope
I know soon the pain will be gone and I will feel so much better. I've had 5 major surgeries so I know this won't be too painful. What caused it was one of the incisions blew apart. The doctor was surprised I didn't need pain medicine until last week.
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Comment #26 posted by Hope on December 14, 2009 at 09:36:31 PT
BGreen, FoM
It's funny. Back when C-News seemed like Martha's kitchen, we would have been talking about these things and being intensely concerned for months before this point.FoM "busted her gut" doing C-News, or maybe running and playing with her new dog. She has been in a lot of pain and still refused to lay down this work she's taken on.She's going to be alright.
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Comment #25 posted by Hope on December 14, 2009 at 09:28:19 PT
Did we win while I was gone?
Crazy isn't it? We are so hopeful. I always think that when I've been offline awhile. Used to, in the earlier years of MAP and C-News, I'd wake each morning hoping that, even though I knew it was completely irrational.After years, I finally don't do that anymore. But then I say to myself...."Maybe".Storm Crow... the work you've done is simply Stunning, with a capital S.I always smile and sometimes laugh out loud when I think of that list of yours. What's this "Anti-motivation Syndrome" prohibitionists spout and used to spout more than they do now, it seems.Lol!Anti-motivational.But of course, in our effort, the prohibitionist's actions themselves are what pushed all of us, too far. We had to, somehow, stand up. We had to say something. We had to know and we had to tell people. The deadly, unleashed injustice and destruction caused by our draconian drug laws was our motivation in trying, what we could, to stop them. It was and is a deeply dire motivation.My Lord! They were killing people and destroying lives and entire families! What's wrong with people that can stand by and watch that year after year and be so numb to it?Storm Crow's list though. Who knew? Nobody probably, until you put that list together. It really is a monumental thing for a person to have put together in their spare time. Amazing. Thank you so much. It helps to have that. So much. I've printed it out before. It's a stack of paper.I thought I'd done a lot of research on my own about studies. I was stunned at what you've found.OF COURSE we missed you BGreen! I did, anyway. We always do when you stay away or when you've been quiet for too long.:0)Hope you and Mrs. Green are having a fine holiday season.
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on December 14, 2009 at 09:11:01 PT
BGreen, Storm Crow and Hope
Thank you. You are always missed BGreen when you aren't around. Glad you are back. I have to have surgery and Hope will know what is going on and will tell everyone. Stick will call Hope or Hope will call Stick. It's all under control.
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Comment #23 posted by BGreen on December 14, 2009 at 08:31:29 PT
Hey, I'm Back! Did you miss me?
I lost my internet for a week and almost lost my mind, too.My ISP is really fast at fixing an area outage but this time it was just my house that was out. That meant I had to get in line to get someone out to fix it.What is this "surgicated" of which Hope speaks? What did I miss?Did we win while I was gone? LOLThe Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #22 posted by Storm Crow on December 14, 2009 at 08:25:35 PT
My 2 cents...
My "Granny Storm Crow's list" is cool and all that jazz, but I can always take a day or a week off of working with it. FoM, you get the prize for endurance, dedication and perseverance! You totally ROCK! Thank you for all you do, and have done over the years, for us all! Happy Holidays!
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Comment #21 posted by Hope on December 14, 2009 at 08:23:23 PT
FoM
Ms. Never Take a Break in Over a Decade,One thing you don't have to worry about while you're being surgicated is news gathering...leave the doors open and your C-Newsers will be sweeping the net and bringing the news back here. Not as well as you do, but we'll be here, keeping the saddle warm until you're back topside again.I'm ready to be rejoicing when you're fixed up and feeling better and more powerful than ever.
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Comment #20 posted by Hope on December 14, 2009 at 08:13:27 PT
Comment 15
If prohibition as we know it could have been ended the week before. The month before. The day before.Prohibitionists can't see it though... that prohibition killed this eighteen year old before he had a chance to be a nineteen year old.What a waste and a horror.
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Comment #19 posted by Hope on December 14, 2009 at 08:07:19 PT
Comment 14
"FoM, you and Stick take a bow".Indeed!Applause! Applause!And Kaptinemo... you've been no slouch yourself."When a small group of determined people".... hunkers down, together, trying to do the right thing, and keeps moving through the dark, the rejection, the threats, and attacks, and the bloody mud and terror of it all....Well, you know...
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on December 14, 2009 at 06:53:17 PT
kaptin
Thank you again. Hope is my life line and has been for years. She knows how hard things have been and she deserves credit for keeping me going. The north met the south and we have become great friends. I will be having surgery soon and Hope will keep everyone informed and hopefully I won't miss any news. We appreciate you so much that we named our late rottie after you. I hope you get to come and visit us again maybe in the spring.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/kaptin.jpg
My New Rottie's Christmas Page
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Comment #17 posted by kaptinemo on December 14, 2009 at 06:44:22 PT:
'Credit where credit is due', FoM
And it is my hope that someone with greater academic or journalistic credentials than I will ever have will write the unknown history of drug law reform after we win. I know who they really ought to interview...
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on December 14, 2009 at 04:50:53 PT
kaptinemo
Thank you so much. You have no idea how much that means to me and Stick. Happy Holidays to you.
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Comment #15 posted by knightshade on December 14, 2009 at 04:38:58 PT:
OT: marijuana finally killed someone... sort of
I suppose the first cause of death would be encountering law enforcement officers period, the second would be the taser, and the third and final was asphyxiating on dried plants.Man Dies After Choking on Bag of Pot During Arrest Dec 12, 2009 9:48 AM EST Bay County deputies say a 23-year-old man who was shocked with a stun gun died after choking on a large bag of marijuana during an attempted arrest. According to The News Herald, Andrew Grande ran from deputies who responded to the scene of a reported physical disturbance early Friday morning. Grande was later confronted by the investigators, who saw him try to put something in his mouth while he struggled with them. Grande broke free from the deputies, who had managed to put one handcuff over his wrist. Authorities then used the stun gun. After Grande was shocked, deputies noticed that he appeared to be choking. They couldn't clear his throat with the Heimlich maneuver. Grande was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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Comment #14 posted by kaptinemo on December 14, 2009 at 04:09:17 PT:
FoM, you and Stick take a bow
It has been such a long time and now everything seems to be turning our way.Yepper, and a large part of the reason has been the perseverance on the part of reformers, day in, day out, for years. The same perseverance you and Stick have shown, literally, for over a decade.Sad that it had to take a financial meltdown to finally set things into higher gear...but we reformers were warning about that and its' wholly predictable aftermath years before it actually happened. And again, those warning were made right...effin'...here.In a very real way, it hurts to be as right as we were, but it doesn't erase the fact that were, indeed, right all along.And now, at long last, we are being heard. And it's places like this gave us the 'space' to meet, organize, trade information, and become the underlying force that will eventually undermine drug prohibition and wash it away.For many years, we were the unheard 'voice in the wilderness'. But that's changing. And it's changing in no small part because, for all those years, you two were 'here'.
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on December 13, 2009 at 20:30:09 PT
MikeC
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too!I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.
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Comment #12 posted by MikeC on December 13, 2009 at 19:59:57 PT
Hope...
I read they take recess for about a month. Probably just taking care of unfinished business before they split. I am glad they made good use of this Sunday by finally allowing medical marijuana in D.C.This seems pretty significant to me in regards to the exposure the stiffs in congress will get to medical marijuana. Now they will see firsthand that the sky won't fall in on them.Now if we can just get it here in Wisconsin!Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you Hope!
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on December 13, 2009 at 19:49:33 PT
They met today from 1:30 to 5:01
Apparently they met last Sunday, too. They are to convene tomorrow, too. So they probably are just trying to get as much done as possible before they leave for the holidays.Seems odd, though. Odd because it's just something I didn't know they did.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on December 13, 2009 at 19:39:13 PT
Hope
I agree. I'm sure it was because of the holidays. They wanted to wrap up some unfinished business. This really is good. I would go to Washington, D.C. again to visit when medical marijuana is available and because of Obama being President. I haven't wanted to go back to D.C. for more years then I can remember. I spent a good deal of my younger years in the summer in that area.
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on December 13, 2009 at 19:35:25 PT
MikeC
Sorry! That was you that I was answering about the holidays and not FoM.Sorry, was flitting around trying to find if there was a particular reason for them convening today and not paying careful enough attention to my commenting.They met today from about 12:30 or 1:30 to 5 or 5:30, I think, I read at the Senate site or somewhere.But, I bet your right. They're getting ready to blow town.
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on December 13, 2009 at 19:30:55 PT
FoM
Getting ready to leave for the holidays. That's probably it.
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on December 13, 2009 at 19:29:39 PT
Senate Sessions on Sundays
Wikipedia just says the Senate "typically convene on weekdays".
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Comment #6 posted by MikeC on December 13, 2009 at 19:21:07 PT
Hope...
Don't they take a month off for the holidays? They SHOULD be working Sundays!!!
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Comment #5 posted by Hope on December 13, 2009 at 19:13:44 PT
Meeting on Sunday...
Is that very common?I know they sometimes go late into the night, but I sort of thought they took weekends off.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 13, 2009 at 19:10:59 PT
Hope
I didn't know they did either but they did!
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on December 13, 2009 at 18:53:01 PT
Today?
"The U.S. Senate passed a bill Sunday..."I didn't know they convened on Sundays.
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Comment #2 posted by HempWorld on December 13, 2009 at 18:33:38 PT
Sums it up ...
"The District has come a long way,""working relationship between the city and Congress has improved since Democrats took over""We're glad about the substantive issues."(yeah and actually medical or medicinal marijuana is an important issue to consider as is free and clean needle exchange.)Thank you, my blessings to all!
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 13, 2009 at 18:08:41 PT
I'm So Happy
It has been such a long time and now everything seems to be turning our way.
[ Post Comment ]
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