Buzzby

[This good news message arrived in my inbox this morning.]

Marijuana Policy Project Alert - 08/23/2007

All 8 Democratic presidential candidates support medical marijuana!

Dear Buzzby:

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) just became the last of the eight Democratic presidential candidates to pledge to end the DEA’s raids on medical marijuana patients and providers who act legally under state law.

This means that all eight Democratic presidential candidates — including U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) — have now taken public positions in support of protecting patients in the 12 states with medical marijuana laws.

In regard to Sen. Obama, it took MPP’s campaign in New Hampshire, Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana (GSMM), five separate encounters over the last few months — and two back-to-back encounters earlier this week — but on Tuesday in Nashua, Sen. Obama told a GSMM volunteer, “I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users. It's not a good use of our resources." You can watch the encounter here and read some news coverage of this coup here.

MPP/GSMM has had one full-time staffer — Stuart Cooper — working in New Hampshire since March, and I’m thrilled that our persistence has paid off. Stuart and his cadre of volunteers and patients have been dogging the Democratic and Republican candidates at almost every appearance in the state, urging them to take strong, public, positive positions on medical marijuana in advance of the New Hampshire primary — currently the first in the nation — on January 22.

In addition to the eight Democratic candidates, two Republican candidates — U.S. Reps. Ron Paul (Texas) and Tom Tancredo (Colo.) — have also vowed to end the medical marijuana raids as well. In fact, these two members of Congress recently voted for the Hinchey-Rohrabacher medical marijuana amendment on the House floor ... for the fifth year in a row.

You can see or hear the good guys in their own words here.

Can you imagine if all the presidential candidates publicly supported protecting patients? Please make a donation so we can keep up the pressure on the six Republicans who still haven’t taken positive positions.

The 10 good candidates are to be commended for their common sense and compassion, especially as federal intrusion into medical marijuana states has been on the rise this summer, with DEA raids taking place in several counties in California and Oregon. Recently, the DEA also began threatening landlords who lease space to medical marijuana dispensaries — activity that’s legal under state law — with forfeiture of their property, a move condemned in a Los Angeles Times editorial as "a deplorable new bullying tactic."

And last week, presidential candidate and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), who signed legislation in April making his the 12th medical marijuana state, wrote to President Bush asking him to end the federal raids in medical marijuana states: "Respected physicians and government officials should not fear going to jail for acting compassionately and caring for our most vulnerable citizens. Nor should those most vulnerable of citizens fear their government because they take the medicine they need."

We still have work to do in New Hampshire: Will you consider making a donation today to ensure that in January 2009 we inaugurate a president who is committed to ending federal interference in the states that have medical marijuana laws? Thank you for your support.

With gratitude,



Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.

P.S. As I've mentioned in previous alerts, a major philanthropist has committed to match the first $3.0 million that MPP can raise from the rest of the planet in 2007. This means that your donation today will be doubled.
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We are required by federal law to tell you that any donations you make to MPP may be used for political purposes, such as supporting or opposing candidates for federal office.

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fight4theright

Thank god. Hopefully, no matter who is elected, those in need can get the medicine they deserve. I wish this trend had started sooner, but hope policy makers and 'those is charge' will continue to exercise common sense by making marijuana available to those who need it, and hopefully in the future, to simply those who want it.

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guerilla

screw the democrats, ron pauls the only man who must win, hillary isnt for TOTAL legalization and neither are any other dems but kucinich who has no chance and gravel who also has no chance.

Ron paul is for full legalization and has a chance

Buzzby

Did Hell freeze over last night?

Sofa King

I wouldn't put a lot of faith in any of this until I see action taken. I'm sure all these candidates realize how many people are in favor of legalization, and that the number is growing everyday. Why not make claims like these to get the votes. Then once they're in office just say "OH there are more important things that need to take to be taken care of first." and then just keep putting MJ on the back burner. It's not like unfulfilled campaign promises are a new thing. So none of these claims mean a damn thing to me until I actually see someone take ACTION in favor of MJ.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to take anything away from this post because it is a huge step forward that it's an actual issue finally.

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SuperTorch

With the Clintons in in the 90's you saw a lot of movement in the right direction. If the Democrats do get in expect more than half of the country to be Medical by the time they get out if not 40 states or more. The Democrats would be the first to maybe put it to the States to decide or change the schedule of the plant. If the Democrats win then I expect most states will have small amounts as simple misdemeanor like a $50 fine with no jail time somewhere around 4-8 years from now as each state finds it easier to pass medically. Thats about the best we can hope for in the next 10 years but it really would be a big step if you think about it. No Jail misdemeanor would be very very nice and is the most likley. True taxation is far off, but if most states move to decriminalize and they are, then the big battle is won. I could buy on the black market forever if I needed to, I just don't want to go to jail ever and if thats out of the way then great. Full legal status would be nice but it's a pipe dream for now, misdemeanor level offence on the back of a lot of state turning medical is a very real probablity with the Democrats in the White house.

If Rudy Giuliani gets in We're in big Trouble and he's got a damn good shot.

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I only smoke legal herbs, when I come to these forums and discuss things like smoking and the high one gets I'm referring to the feeling I get from legal herbs and have no information on what others are smokeing or reffering to. I don't smoke marijuana but do enjoy discussing and talking about legal herbs and the high from different legal smoking methods and all my post should be viewed in that light.

Raised Fist

Great news that all the Democratic hopefuls are supporting an end to raids on medicinal marijuana, and embracing it for its benefits.

Its not all clear water, however. Just because they SAY they will do something, does that always remain true? Also, I'm not seeing a guaranteed Democratic win, I believe its still up in the air, so Republicans supporting medicinal marijuana would make me feel more secure about who wins. Too bad.

Shows a real trend change in how the average moderate candidate's mindset has changed, reflects the feelings of the people. Wonder how our country's people will view marijuana in 10-15 years.