Edit of 3.11.09: One MD’s timeline of cannabis prohibition and medical discoveries. I’ve only linked to page 2, the timeline continues on page 3, the entire article is 4 pages.

An appropriation?

Here’s the text of MPP’s letter (which I sent):

I am writing to ask that you eliminate a rider to the D.C. Appropriations Bill that prevents Washington, D.C. from implementing a ballot initiative that was passed by 70% of D.C. voters.

Since 2001, a rider to the D.C. Appropriations Bill known as the Barr Amendment has prohibited Washington, D.C. from changing the penalties associated with marijuana possession or use. This legislation has prevented D.C. from implementing a medical marijuana ballot initiative that would have provided safe and legal access to medical marijuana for seriously ill patients with a doctor’s recommendation – an initiative that voters passed by a whopping 70% in 1998.

The Barr Amendment is an affront to this sweeping majority of voters in Washington, D.C., who support protecting medical marijuana patients from arrest and prosecution, as well as the 78% of Americans who support medical marijuana access.

Please eliminate this rider from the D.C. Appropriations Bill.

Sincerely,

Ken Klaser

Darrel Issa also was sent a submission.

It’s been widely reported yesterday, and the reporting is expanding today, that California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (Democrat-San Francisco) has submitted A.B. 390 to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana.

Once again, if you are on their e-mailin…

“The president believes that federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws, and as he continues to appoint senior leadership to fill out the ranks of the federal government, he expects them to review their policies with that in mind,” White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said.
…
“I’m not going to be using Justice Department resources to try to circumvent state laws on this issue,” Mr. Obama told the Mail Tribune newspaper in Oregon in March, during the Democratic primary campaign.

Thank you President Obama! Let’s just hope you inspire those in the DEA to follow your lead.

Again, it’s just the default text. The more diplomatic nature of others is something I sometimes admire.

Subject: End the medical marijuana raids

Message Body: On February 3, Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided four medical marijuana collectives in Los Angeles. These facilities were helping sick and suffering patients in accordance with our state’s law. During President Obama’s campaign, he pledged to put an end to this unconscionable practice, saying, “I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users. It’s not a good use of our resources.”

Would you please move swiftly to bring an end to these medical marijuana raids, as you vowed in the campaign? As Attorney General, you could help fulfill the President’s pledge by appointing new leadership in the DEA and making it clear that this practice is no longer acceptable.

Last April, the Los Angeles City Council voted 9-1 in support of a resolution urging the federal government to end these attacks on local patients and state law. Please listen to California voters and these local officials and take immediate action to stop the federal undermining of state law.

Ken Klaser

Surely all this medical marijuana stigma and confiscation isn’t the best mindset for the dying, or the sick. Much better that they pop a whole bunch of Rx pills?