Pubdate: Sat, 31 May 2014
Source: Texarkana Gazette (TX)
Copyright: 2014 Texarkana Gazette
Contact:  http://www.texarkanagazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/976
Author: Andrew Taylor, The Associated Press
Page: 6C

GOP HOUSE BACKS STATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS

WASHINGTON (AP) - Libertarian-minded and moderate Republicans joined
forces early Friday morning with Democrats in an early morning House
vote to block the federal government from interfering with states that
permit the use of medical marijuana.

The unusual coalition produced a surprising 219-189 vote in the
GOP-controlled House that reflects more permissive public attitudes
toward medical pot use. It ran counter to the drug's official
classification as holding "no currently accepted medical use" and a
"high potential for abuse."

Friday's vote came as the House debated a bill funding the Justice
Department's budget. Forty-nine Republicans joined all but 17
Democrats who voted in approving a provision to block the Justice
Department from interfering with state laws permitting the "use,
distribution, possession or cultivation of medical marijuana."

The amendment by conservative GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of
California-the first state to legalize medical marijuana-came as
almost half the states have legalized marijuana for medical uses, such
as improving the appetites of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Other states permit the use of a nonpsychoactive marijuana extract to
treat epilepsy.

The measure doesn't address the sale and use of marijuana for
recreational purposes in Colorado and Washington, where voters have
legalized it over objections from most elected officials. But it comes
as the public is taking an increasingly permissive view toward medical
pot use, particularly to help people suffering from chronic pain and
nausea.

"Public opinion is shifting," Rohrabacher said, noting a recent Pew
Research Center survey that found 61 percent of Republicans support
medical marijuana. The numbers are higher for independents and Democrats.

"Despite this overwhelming shift of public opinion, the federal
government continues its hard line of oppression against medical
marijuana," he said.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., told opponents that "this train has
already left the station." While almost 4 out of 5 Republicans opposed
the amendment, it picked up GOP supporters from libertarians like
Justin Amash, R-Mich., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and moderates such as
Fred Upton, R-Mich., and Jon Runyan, R-N.J.

The move by the House would wipe away the sticky issues that arise
from a fundamental question associated with state-approved sales of
pot: How do you legally regulate the production, distribution, sale
and use of marijuana for medical purposes when federal law bans all of
the above? Federal agents in recent years have raided storefront
dispensaries in California and Washington, seizing cash and pot.

"This is essentially saying, 'Look, if you are following state law ..
the feds just can't come in and bust you and bust the doctors and bust
the patient," said Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif.

The government has deferred to states regarding enforcement of pot
possession and instead focuses on preventing distribution to minors
and keeping pot profits from going to organized criminal enterprises.
Marijuana is a Schedule I drug under a landmark 1970 drug law, meaning
the government deems it to have "no currently accepted medical use"
and a "high potential for abuse."

Opponents said that marijuana is regulated too loosely by the states
and harms the brain. The American Medical Association opposes medical
marijuana, calling it a "dangerous drug."

Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., cited a recent Drug Enforcement
Administration study that said that many in the medical marijuana
movement are using it as "a means to an end," meaning legalization for
recreational use. Harris, a physician, also said that marijuana,
unlike other drugs, is typically sold in unrefined form.

Harris said backers of medical marijuana "did not deal with ensuring
that the product meets the standards of modern medicine: quality,
safety, and efficacy."

"Congress is officially pulling out of the war on medical marijuana
patients and providers," said Dan Riffle, director of federal policies
for the Marijuana Policy Project.

The measure now heads to the Democratic Senate.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt