Pubdate: Mon, 13 Jun 2005
Source: Eagle-Tribune, The (MA)
Copyright: 2004 The Eagle-Tribune
Contact: http://www.eagletribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/129
Author: Steven S. Epstein
SUPPORT REFORM OF MARIJUANA LAWS
To the editor:
As an advocate for the reform of the marijuana laws, I am disappointed with
the decision of the Supreme Court holding the intrastate activities of Angel
Raich and Diane Monson to be within the reach of federal authorities.
The decision is not all bad news for marijuana law reform.
The majority acknowledged that marijuana is an "extraordinarily
popular substance" with an "admittedly enormous demand for
recreational use." The majority also accepted marijuana's medicinal
use as bona fide. The majority opinion then suggests that marijuana
should be rescheduled so it can be used as medicine and expresses hope
that "the democratic process, in which the voices of voters allied
with these respondents may one day be heard in the halls of
Congress." Just this past May, Barney Frank, with bipartisan support,
reintroduced the States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act. Now assigned
bill number HR 2087, this bill has gained more cosponsors each time
around. HR 2087 proposes rescheduling marijuana under federal law so
that citizens in states that wish to legalize the medical use of
marijuana could do so without fear of federal prosecution and states
could actually provide medical marijuana to patients who qualify
under state law.
Last session five of Massachusetts' 10 representatives signed on as
sponsors, but Marty Meehan and John Tierney were not among them. Even
though they have yet to sign on, both have twice voted, along with
seven other members of the Massachusetts delegation in the House, in
favor of prohibiting the Justice Department from spending funds to
interfere with the implementation of state medical marijuana laws.
I urge your readers to let Congressmen Meehan and Tierney know you
want them to support HR 2087.
STEVEN S. EPSTEIN
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