Mamabudz

June 6, 2005

To: NORML Supporters
From: Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director, NORML

Hello,

Today the United States Supreme Court ruled that federal law continues
to prohibit the use of cannabis?even for the sick, dying and
sense-threatened.

The first Associated Press story related to this morning's breaking
news is found below along with NORML's reply.

As Justice Steven's writings for the court below indicate:
"Perhaps even more important than these legal avenues is the democratic
process, in which the voices of voters allied with these respondents
may one day be heard in the halls of Congress."

It is hard to argue with Justice Stevens' point. Per usual, the
greatest gains for cannabis law reform are to be made by achieving legislative
changes in the law rather than looking to the courts for relief. In
light of this, it is imperative that you contact your member of Congress
today and urge him or her to support the States' Rights To Medical Marijuana
Act, which would reschedule marijuana under federal law and protect
patients in states with medical marijuana laws. Please take two
minutes to send your member of Congress a pre-written letter today by visiting:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/mail/onecli...lertid=7531001

Thirty-three years after NORML launched the 'medical marijuana' debate
by suing the federal government to re-schedule cannabis, regrettably that
debate will apparently continue due to this morning's United States
Supreme Court decision.

Challenges to cannabis prohibition laws are principally funded by
citizens who support a change in the status quo regarding cannabis so please
continue to provide the valuable resources, to NORML and other cannabis
law reform groups, which are needed to keep pushing hard for these
social reforms.

Regards,

-Allen F. St. Pierre
Executive Director
NORML
Washington, DC

troublemaker_42

Thanks to your link, my representative has heard how i feel. Everyone here should do the same. Unless we voice our concerns and feelings, we'll continue to be viewed as criminals, which, in fact, we are.....unless we work for change.

Mamabudz

It is essential that our Representatives know how we feel, if for no other reason than to know they CAN be Pro-Pot and NOT be committing political suicide.

...Like I've always said...If you TOKE...VOTE...and let them know.

Hugz,


Mama Budz

Phyxius

This is the response I got:

June 6, 2005

Dear Serafina:

Thank you for contacting me about efforts that would legalize the use of
marijuana for the treatment of severe illnesses. I appreciate your
concern about this important issue.

Like you, I have read reports that state marijuana can have therapeutic
effects in the treatment of cancer and serious diseases. Although
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, is
reported to have some beneficial medicinal effects, there are many
effective and suitable alternatives. For this reason I am not certain
that legalizing the use of marijuana -- a controlled, illegal substance --
is necessary or prudent at this time. Nevertheless, I appreciate your
helpful comments and will consider your views should this issue be debated
by the Senate in the future.

Again, thank you for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Pete V. Domenici
United States Senator

Ugh.

Mamabudz

Don't take the "auto response" too much to heart -- basically it states that your rep has received the letter -- and that in itself confirms that you as a constituent have let your voice (and your VOTE) be heard.

You now know what this elected official feels about OUR important issue. Will you vote for them again? Probably not. Will you tell others not to vote for them? Probably. Loss of votes equals this person being out of a job

Enough votes mean that a politiian will change their view -- or not be re-elected.

That is the point.

You toke...you should Vote...

Keep up the good work -- and anyone else who get's a reply, pleae post so we can keep track of who is supporting us and who needs to be voted out of office.

Buzzby

In general, politicians pay attention to the opinions of their constituents. The number of messages in favor of medical marijuana may well influence his vote. My sister was a Senatorial aid and told me how things work. From the moment they get elected, Senators are thinking about winning the next one. Staying in office is paramount. Voting his conscience is secondary, if the politician in question has a conscience.

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