Pubdate: Fri, 14 May 2004
Source: Caledonian-Record, The  (St. Johnsbury, VT)
Copyright: 2004 The Caledonian-Record News
Contact: 
http://www.caledonianrecord.com/pages/letters_to_editor/submit_letter_to_editor.
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1355
Website: http://www.caledonianrecord.com/
Author: James Jardine, Special To The Caledonian-Record
Note: from www.leg.state.vt.us/ Rep. Loren Shaw, R-Derby email office  home  mail Rep. Loren Shaw, 320 
Foxwood Lane, Derby, VT 05829
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

STATEHOUSE SHOCKER: LOREN SHAW NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION

Says He 'Got The Sword' From GOP

Following a historic vote by the House of Representatives to approve a
bill that would allow severely ill patients to possess and consume
marijuana, Rep. Loren Shaw, R-Derby, told the House that he would not
be seeking re-election.

Moments earlier, representatives voted to approve a bill dealing with
advanced directives for health care. The bill was amended by the House
to include the creation of a program that allows certain patients to
use marijuana to treat chronic pain.

After the vote, Shaw addressed the House saying, "Mr. Speaker, I
thought I could make a difference when I ran for the House, but have
now found out different. For you Republicans who voted for this bill,
enjoy next year but I will not be part of your party and will not seek
re-election."

After the House adjourned, fellow legislators came up to Shaw and told
him they sympathized with his position, but they begged him to
reconsider and urged him to change his mind and seek re-election. Shaw
said he "got the sword from my own party one too many times." He said
the vote to support marijuana possession and use "really got to me"
because "it's illegal - what don't they understand?"

He added, "What bothers me most is that I took an oath of office" to
uphold the law. Shaw believes those who voted in favor of the bill
violated their oath of office.

Shaw, a Derby resident, has been a member of the House since 2001 and
is finishing his second term. He is a businessman and owns a Newport
restaurant. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake