Pubdate: Tue,  7 Jun 2005
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2005 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Action: 
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=25197&ms=hp
Action: http://hinchey.mpp.org/
Action: http://capwiz.com/norml2/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7309441
Cited: Gonzales v. Raich ( www.angeljustice.org/ )
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Raich (Angel Raich)

MEDICAL POT, AFTER THE RULING

THE U.S. Supreme Court's disappointing decision Monday allowing the
federal government the power to prosecute medical-marijuana patients
such as Angel Raich of Oakland and Diane Monson of Oroville (Butte
County) was a setback for thousands of patients who live in states
where the residents thought they had legalized medical marijuana.

But it could not have happened at a better time.

Next week, Congress will vote on the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment
that would prevent the Justice Department from spending money on
arresting or prosecuting medical-marijuana patients in states that
have declared the use legal.

The amendment, which is part of an appropriations bill, was defeated
last year but received 152 votes in Congress.

If enacted, the law would offer a temporary solution to a growing
conflict between federal laws prohibiting the cultivation, possession
or distribution of marijuana, and states where voters have approved
the medical use of cannabis.

"As long as we can allow these patients to use their medicine without
fear of prosecution, that would be good enough for us," said Robert
Raich, Angel Raich's husband and attorney. "This amendment would, at
least, take care of that for one fiscal year."

But the change must take place at both the local and federal
levels.

Local governments must run their medical cannabis programs safely and
responsibly, as both San Francisco and Alameda counties have recently
taken steps to do.

And Congress must step in and legalize medical marijuana, allowing
thousands of patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis and other
debilitating diseases a way to ease their pain without fear of being
jailed.

"In its decision, the Supreme Court made it clear that the ball is now
in Congress' court," said Angel Raich. "I hope for myself, my
children and for other patients out there that our congressional
leaders put compassion first."

Until that law is passed, let's start by urging California Sens.
Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein to support the Hinchey-Rohrabacher
amendment.

You can get e-mail links to Boxer and Feinstein by going to the Web
site www.senate.gov.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake