D.C. Moves Toward Medical Marijuana
Last night, voters, patients, and advocates in Washington, D.C. moved one step closer to implementing a medical marijuana law that’s been 10 years in the making.
Since 1999, Congress has used its unique authority over D.C. affairs to block a local medical marijuana initiative passed by 69% of D.C. voters. The legislation responsible for blocking the will of D.C. voters is known as the Barr amendment, and it lives in the annual D.C. appropriations bill.
Last week, the congressional subcommittee in charge of funding D.C. announced the removal of the Barr amendment and other social issue riders. While this was great news, we weren’t surprised when medical marijuana opponents mounted an attack.
During a full committee hearing last night, Congresswoman JoAnn Emerson (R-Mo.) attempted to have the Barr amendment put back in the bill. Her efforts were defeated after passionate speeches from Congressman Dave Obey and Jose Serrano. Ultimately, the committee voted to protect the rights of D.C. voters and keep the Barr amendment out of the bill. The legislation must move through the remainder of the legislative process and be signed into law by President Obama before the changes will take effect.
Washington, D.C. is the only place where Congress intervenes so directly in local affairs, and the Barr amendment is the most offensive example of this behavior. Hopefully, this is the year that 69% of D.C. voters will see their votes finally hold the weight of law.
Tagged with: Barr amendment and D.C. and Medical Marijuana by the author
18 comments
Excellent news. New pro-marijuana territory to be captured! It’s sphere of influence is spreading. Hopefully it’ll spread to all the states around it.
Will this be the year that the Barr amendment dies? If DC voters once again approve medical marijuana it will send a message to the whole country, especially Virginia and Maryland. I dont see how anyone can honestly disagree with letting DC voters decide their own fate in this matter.
Yes, dis is great news hopefully all the people in Virginia can see this and make a change in this state too. Because I know a lot of people that can beneffit from Medical Marijuana and I am one of them. I believe that marijuana can make my back pain go away. Most of the time when I dont smoke my lower back feels like im getting stabb every time i move or i stayed sitting down for a long time. Sometimes I feel like my legs want to give up when im getting up from my chair and its scares and it hurts the hell out of me. And marijuana makes that all go away… Im serious im not even playing. When im under marijuana I forget about my back and the pain goes away and I feel more calm. So please let me have my weed!
Is Bob Barr still a lobbyist for MPP? Did he go out and lobby against his his own amendment?
Great news either way.
Has anyone heard about this?
http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/opinion-marijuana-bust-leads-to-government-banning-free-speech-r-1247009751
It makes me happy and proud that one of the passionate speakers in defense of the People was our own Dave Obey. (Wisconsinite here).
THIS IS THE WORST THING EVER! MARIJUANA NEEDS TO STOP GROWING, PERIOD! IT NEEDS TO STAY ILLEGAL. IT WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE!
hey bob doodledouche….you’re an ass…just move on…we don’t need your uneducated, misinformed opinion.
@ #7 Bob Doodleheimer: either you’re being ironic or sadly brainwashed by DARE, DEA, and the US government.
People who smoke should learn the Japanese board game GO. Surround and win.
Congresswoman JoAnn Emerson (R-Mo.)in not a Politician.
She’s a Pharmatician!!
U.S. GOVERNMENT SAYS : “HEMP FOR VICTORY!!!”
Hey Bob, the only thing that’s ruining people’s lives is PROHIBITION of marijuana. That’s especially the case with patients who are in dire need of their medicine. If you’re trying to start trouble or just showing your ignorance for the hell of it, you’re on the wrong site pal. If you had a debilitating disease like these poor people and no other medications worked for you, I guarantee you would have a different opinion. Have compassion for the patients and understand where they’re coming from, I certainly hope they get the relief they need.
D.C. Ignored the will of the voters. Why? Because if it were to be legal in D.C., then every one would be of the opinion that hey ” If its legal where all of our elected officials are why isn’t it legal in my state/neck of the woods! Ya Think that is why they suppressed the vote of the people. “69 is my favorite #, and “pink is my favorite color” says Steven Tyler.
EXCELLANT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this means that if D.C. okays medical marijuana then the movenment has gained ground vital to a nationwide change in federal policy
oxford mississippi has a 6 acre farm to grow marijuana and the plants are medication for 3 or 4 americans,geore bush closed all aplications in 1990,his words[ things have changed].
When will they finally realize that the only thing dangerous about marijuana is the law that prohibits it?
http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1554485.html
DC cop on our side!?
NPR itself has long been accused of having a liberal bias, though the network states that it reflects a diversity of views. ,
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