Pubdate: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 Source: New London Day (CT) Copyright: 2002 The Day Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.newlondonday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/293 Related: http://www.mpp.org/lawsuit/announcement.html JUDGE OVERTURNS BAN ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA VOTE Washington -- 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 November ballot, would make it legal for seriously ill patients to get and use marijuana. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake