Pubdate: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 Source: Log Cabin Democrat (AR) Copyright: 2002 The Log Cabin Democrat Contact: http://thecabin.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/548 Author: Associated Press Related: http://www.mpp.org/lawsuit/announcement.html JUDGE ALLOWS MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE TO MAKE WAY TO D.C. BALLOT WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal judge's decision could pave the way for supporters of legalizing marijuana in the nation's capital for medical purposes to place the matter before city voters this fall. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan on Thursday overturned a federal law that had effectively blocked District of Columbia residents from putting the issue on the ballot. The law was first enacted by Congress 1998, after district residents voted to legalize marijuana for medical use. Known as the Barr Amendment for its sponsor, Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., the law has since been added yearly to legislation governing federal spending in the district. The ballot initiative, which supporters want to again place on the city's ballot in November, would change city law to make it legal for seriously ill patients to get and use marijuana if their physicians recommend it. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake