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House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Amendment

By Jeralyn, Section Legislation
Posted on Wed Jun 15, 2005 at 12:33:20 PM EST
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This just in from Marijuana Policy Project:

The U.S. House of Representatives today voted down an amendment that would have placed a one-year moratorium on federal raids against medical marijuana patients, but patients and their supporters were cheered by an all-time record vote in support of the proposal. The amendment, supported by a broad array of organizations, including the American Nurses Association and the United Methodist Church, was defeated 161-264, receiving 13 more votes than an identical proposal received last year.

The bipartisan amendment, introduced by U.S. Reps. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), sought to prohibit the U.S. Justice Department -- which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration -- from spending taxpayer money to arrest or prosecute medical marijuana patients in the 10 states where medical marijuana is legal: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

"While we're disappointed that the amendment did not pass, a record 161 House members voted today to stop arresting medical marijuana patients," said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. "There have been only four House floor votes on medical marijuana in the history of the country, and this one was our best ever.

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    House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Amendment | 9 comments (9 topical)
    Re: House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Amendment (none / 0) (#1)
    by roger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:04 PM EST
    So, this is the Supreme Court's vision of democracy? 80% of the public supported this bill, our "democracy" is a fraud. Time to tear the system down, and throw the bums out. Up and till W, I thought that democracy was great, now I cringe when I hear the word.

    Re: House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Amendment (none / 0) (#2)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:04 PM EST
    By, of, and for the people no longer. Nowadays, its by, of, and for campaign contributors only, mainly corporations. I'm with you Rog, and Tommy Jefferson. Time to start a new govt., since the current version no longer serves the people.

    Re: House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Amendment (none / 0) (#3)
    by Patrick on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:04 PM EST
    Roger, Did 80% of America support this bill or did they support not arresting medical users? Not wanting med users arrested is a far cry from supporting a bill. IIRC if was only 68% and not 80%", but I could be wrong. The problem I have is with people who....well you've heard it from me before. Suffice it to say, I wanted the accurate facts about the support for this bill, do you have them?

    Re: House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Amendment (none / 0) (#4)
    by roger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:04 PM EST
    Dog, You know, I dont even care anymore if they dont serve us, I dont even care that they steal our money and spend it on hookers, booze, and expensive trips. I just wish that they'd leave us the F alone

    Re: House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Amendment (none / 0) (#5)
    by roger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:04 PM EST
    Patrick- I've seen both numbers. Would it be your position that if 68% (or 58%) of the people support a policy, that a bill that exactly reflects that policy be adopted? You enforce laws whether or not you agree with them because it is your job, and good for you for doing that. Shouldnt politicians do their jobs too, up to a point, regardless of their personal views? 68% or 80%, still much more than W got in the election, and he claims a mandate

    Re: House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Amendment (none / 0) (#6)
    by Dadler on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:04 PM EST
    Just as I thought. A far righty and a reasonable Dem come together on a bill about a medicinal plant, and it goes down like the others before. I wonder how much the booze and tobacco and PHARMACEUTICAL companies are behind the scenes lobbying at the federal level against this. Rubbish. Just rubbish.

    Re: House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Amendment (none / 0) (#7)
    by Patrick on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:04 PM EST
    Would it be your position that if 68% (or 58%) of the people support a policy, that a bill that exactly reflects that policy be adopted?
    NO it would not, and I think we can both think of scenarios outside of marijauna where that would be the case.

    Re: House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Amendment (none / 0) (#8)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:04 PM EST
    That works too Rog, that works too.

    Re: House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Amendment (none / 0) (#9)
    by Aaron on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:05 PM EST
    On the upside, if you're having problems getting health care for glaucoma, cancer, AIDS etc. all you need do is show up at your local FBI office with a baguette dope. You're sure to get medical treatment at the federal penitentiary. We'd better be careful, if word gets out people will be lining up to get busted by the feds for marijuana.

    House Votes Down Medical Marijuana Amendment | 9 comments (9 topical)