Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jun 2005
Source: Salem News (MA)
Copyright: 2005 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.salemnews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3466
Author: Edward  Epstein, Scripps Howard
Note: Edward Epstein writes for the San Francisco  Chronicle
Cited: Gonzales v. Raich ( www.angeljustice.org/ )
Cited: Marijuana Policy Project ( www.mpp.org )
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm ( Cannabis - Medicinal )

BACKERS OF  MEDICINAL MARIJUANA TRY, TRY AGAIN IN HOUSE VOTE

WASHINGTON - Advocates of legalizing marijuana for medical  purposes face a 
daunting task in Congress - which probably will vote again on the issue 
next week - but gain a little more hope year by year.

A bill advocating medicinal marijuana received 94 votes in the House in 
1998. In 2003, legislation to block the Justice Department from using 
federal funds to  crack down on the use of medicinal marijuana got 152 
votes. Last year that total  edged down to 148. This year advocates say 
they can count on 160 solid votes in  the House when the same bill comes up 
for a vote, probably next Tuesday or  Wednesday.

"It's our objective to get a few more votes this year," said Rep. Maurice 
Hinchey, D-N.Y., co-sponsor with Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., of the 
legislation that blocks federal enforcement against medicinal-marijuana 
patients  in states that allow its use. "There's a good chance we will get 
more  support." The vote will come on the heels of Monday's U.S. Supreme 
Court ruling that dealt a setback to the 10 states, including California, 
that have decided to allow patients to use marijuana with a doctor's 
recommendation. The court's majority opinion, authored by Justice John Paul 
Stevens, said any changes in the federal law will have to come from Congress.

"I was disappointed in the decision. It was wrong," Hinchey said. "But I 
was glad to see that wording about Congress in his decision. The Congress 
has to deal with this issue."

Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in 
Washington, said his group counts 160 votes this year for the 
Hinchey-Rohrabacher proposal,  which will be offered as an amendment to the 
annual appropriations bill that  covers the Justice Department. He said the 
court ruling means "the light is  shining brightly on Congress" and will 
increase pressure on potential swing  votes in the House.

Angel Raich of Oakland, Calif., the lead plaintiff in the case decided by 
the Supreme Court, plans to fly to Washington to lobby before the vote. 
Kampia wouldn't predict victory in the House. "We'll have an 
all-time-record vote, " he said.

But a majority remains far off. Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., chairman of the 
House drug-policy subcommittee, hailed the Supreme Court decision. "We 
cannot allow the state initiative process to undermine" national health and 
safety standards "on the basis of political - not scientific - arguments," 
Souder said in a statement.

He has said that if medicinal-pot advocates want to change the federal law 
that makes marijuana an illegal drug, they should get Congress and the 
president  to make such a change. He'll help lead the opposition to 
Rohrabacher and Hinchey  next week.

Edward Epstein writes for the San Francisco  Chronicle
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