cannabisnews.com: Democrat Kucinich Endorses Medical Pot Use Democrat Kucinich Endorses Medical Pot Use Posted by CN Staff on May 29, 2003 at 09:25:27 PT By Carla Marinucci and John Wildermuth Source: San Francisco Chronicle Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio became the first Democratic presidential candidate to endorse the legalization of medical marijuana when he told The Chronicle on Wednesday it should be available "to any patient who needs it to alleviate pain and suffering," regardless of the current federal drug laws. "Compassion requires that medical marijuana be available" Kucinich said during a telephone interview after a campaign stop in Cupertino. "We must have health-care systems which are compassionate . . . so I support it without reservation." Federal law enforcement authorities have raided medicinal marijuana clinics in California arguing that despite the voters endorsement of the drug for medical purposes, its distribution still violates federal laws. Federal law lists marijuana as an illegal substance under the Controlled Substances Act, regardless of its use, U.S. authorities say. Ed Rosenthal, an advocate of legalizing marijuana, was arrested and convicted in federal court of cultivating marijuana, even though Oakland had made him an official supplier for a city-approved pot dispensary. He is scheduled to be sentenced next Wednesday and faces up to five years in federal prison. Kucinich said that as president, "I'd sign an executive order that would permit its use." "I think that we're at a point where we understand that the maintenance of human health and the alleviation of human suffering involves a dialogue between the physician and the patient," Kucinich told The Chronicle. "This is a matter that many people find quite vexing. I have known people who have had cancer and who have been in horrible pain. Anything that can alleviate their suffering should be available." Note: He says he'd issue executive order if elected president. Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/05/29/MN147381.DTL Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Carla Marinucci, John Wildermuth, Chronicle Political WritersPublished: Thursday, May 29, 2003 Copyright: 2003 San Francisco Chronicle - Page A - 3 Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #10 posted by The GCW on May 30, 2003 at 04:37:53 PT afterburner The need to go to the Democratic meetings can not be ignored.If I didn't go to them and state the facts, to kill the spirit of error, there would be no guidance from the Truth.We all must make Our Truth known. We have the ability to send Kucinich to where He needs to go.We must now work!We can not see it coming and allow it to slip away.Truth must be recognized and catered to.CANNABIS, THE TREE OF LIFE, DESERVES BETTER!NO ONE else is going to treat cannabis with its due respect that Christ God intended.Truth has a foothold that must be acted upon.Each one of Us has access to the Holy Spirit of Truth, and I request that You resort to it, now, like never before, to spread the Truth.Reach for the ultimate Truth with in You for it is there and will extend Truth, more.Truth is on Our side and must not be left in the dark.Not just truth, but TRUTH as known from He who created Truth.The highest levels of Truth are at Our disposal.Use it to literally kill the spirit of error. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by afterburner on May 29, 2003 at 19:17:36 PT: Wave High Your Anti-Prohibitionist Flag. If your state has a primary, be sure to vote for the anti-prohibitionist of your choice. Good idea, The GCW, they need to know we're serious, and we ain't gonna take it anymore.ego transcendence follows ego destruction, when critical mass makes all the politicians get on the bandwagon. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Lehder on May 29, 2003 at 19:07:42 PT kucinich There are a lot of articles about Kucinich, biographical information and his candidacy, at commondreams.comhttp://search.freefind.com/find.html?id=8145485&pid=r&mode=ALL&query=kucinich&t=sHere's one pretty good article that shows him to be a genuine liberalhttp://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0331-05.htmand well received at least in Marin, Ca. Pro-choice, anti-war, opposes FCC deregulation of broadcaster megamergers, wants to establish a Dept of Peace in the cabinet, etc. all the "right stuff"! Furthermore, he is able to formulate a sentence and verbalize it. He was the "boy mayor" of Cleveland for a short while in the 70's and then lost ignominiously after his refusal to allow a power company to be privatized led to the city's default on bonds or some such serious financial problem. He disappeared and then resurfaced in 96 when people accepted that he had made the right decision despite its unpopularity.I read the text of his resounding anti-war speech a couple months ago, the speech that has now catapulted him to the tail end of the presidential candidates, carefully looking for the slightest reference to the drug war among a long list of sensibly discussed problems in the U.S. - to no avail. But it is most refreshing to see that his web site (thanks, DanB) lists "drug war" as number 6 of 7 issues. That's a first for a Democrat. Corporate approved politicians could list 500 "important issues" without the drug war crossing their minds.Given his unabashed and consistent progressive attitude on essentially all issues, there's every reason to speculate that he privately favors decriminalization of drugs in general and legalization of marijuana. Of course he can't be explicit at this point, but maybe he'd lead - yes, actually lead - Americans to rationality in baby steps.The last I read, 2 or 3 weeks ago, he had $100,000, seventh among a pack of boobs with multiple millions, with the Bush clone Lieberman "leading" with I think it was $7 million. Sickening, isn't it, that campaign chests should be equated to popularity and political potential. Sic 'em, Dennis. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by The GCW on May 29, 2003 at 16:19:06 PT Dan B. I am glad to read Your posts again.This is a good news story. I can get excited about a Democrat now. With out someone like this guy, I will not vote for a Democrat.Period.I have been getting to the Democratic meetings and informing them that I, along with many others simply are not voting for anyone who is a prohibitionist.Kucinich is making a move toward rationality, and I will push this into the Democratic meetings.This is most exciting, today. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Dan B on May 29, 2003 at 10:22:23 PT: Still, check out his website http://www.kucinich.us/The Kucinich for President website explains his positions on a number of issues. I like what I read there. Of particular note: click his link labeled "Drug War." I think you'll like what he has to say.Here it is again: http://www.kucinich.us/Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Dan B on May 29, 2003 at 10:17:45 PT: Virgil Absolutely--the front runners are a bunch of weasels who do not deserve the congressional positions that they currently hold (Most common position: standing erect behind the taxpayers' naked backsides). Kucinich is the only one that I can respect. He's a great thinker.But let's face it, the guy is not going places in the charisma department, and that is what wins votes in this country. Brains and bravery can only get a person so far, unfortunately. What this guy needs is a makeover a la Hilary Clinton circa election 1992, and that costs money. Still, it would be money well spent. Get him a hairstylist and someone to dress him up all snazzy, and he just might make the cut. If he looks good, people will listen to his ideas. If he doesn't, he'll only get the intellectual crowd to hear him and, believe you me, in this country that does not constitute a majority of the voters.Sad but true.Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Virgil on May 29, 2003 at 10:03:01 PT Does the guy have the stuff? There is nothing great about any of the Democratic front runners. Dean is a rich brat out of the Busch mold and Kerry knows what is going on but will not break the fascists mold. Edwards thinks he has Kennedy appeal that should carry him even though he should be toweling off behind the ears and spend less time in front of the mirror. It is not that cannabis is the only issue. It is just one car on a train going in the wrong direction. At least if you are trying to get the cannabis car to its rightful destination you have to stop the effing train. Does this guy have the stuff to turn the train around? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Dan B on May 29, 2003 at 10:00:11 PT: Kucinich will be getting my vote I hope he gets the party nomination because Kucinich is the only guy I can envision voting for in 2004. He's the only Democrat out there who is truly unafraid to say what he believes to be the truth, damn the consequences. That is the kind of leader that I can respect. His stands against the war and in favor of medical marijuana are indications that this man not only thinks for himself, but does so in a rational manner. I both respect and admire his integrity.Dan BP.S.--Thanks, FoM, for keeping my nick and password in the system. I am glad to be back here again. Everything got pretty weird there for awhile, didn't it? But things have now settled down, and in the end I think it is most important that Cannabis News exists and is, from what I can see, thriving. Best to you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Ethan Russo MD on May 29, 2003 at 09:39:59 PT: Applause I am happy he has taken this stance and aired the issue. Debate would be welcome.Remember my Howard Dean story: #8 here: http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/16/thread16358.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo MD on May 29, 2003 at 09:37:37 PT: The Rest--- According to the Medical Marijuana Project, the position outlined by Kucinich makes him the first major Democratic candidate to endorse the use of the drug for medical purposes. "Dennis Kucinich has come a long way since 1998, when he voted for a congressional resolution condemning state medical marijuana laws, and we expect many other Democratic contenders to follow suit," said Robert Kampia, executive director of the Washington-based Marijuana Policy Project in a statement posted on the organization's Web site. Kucinich's policy on the issue has the potential to resonate with voters in California -- and beyond. California voters approved the use and distribution of marijuana with a doctor's prescription in 1996. Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have similar laws. An October 2002 CNN/Time poll showed that 80 percent of Americans believe that medical marijuana should be legally available. "This is a natural issue for the Democrats: The Bush administration is completely out of step with the public, which doesn't want to see sick people hauled off to jail for taking their medicine," Kampia said in his statement. With his statements, Kucinich -- who has made headlines with his strong anti-war stance and proposals to create a U.S. Department of Peace -- has stepped out in front of the Democratic presidential candidates. "I wouldn't change the (marijuana) law now, but I would set up a committee to see if pain relief is different with marijuana," North Carolina Sen. John Edwards told reporters Wednesday after a San Francisco speech. Edwards, however, showed little sympathy for people arrested for behavior that's legal under California law. "It's the job of the Justice Department to enforce the law as it presently exists," said Edwards, a lawyer. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, a doctor, is another candidate who has called for a study of the medical use of marijuana. But he threatened to veto a measure that would have legalized that use in Vermont. Kucinich, a former mayor of Cleveland, is seen as a longshot in the Democratic presidential derby. He is scheduled to appear today at noon at the San Francisco's federal building and at 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Berkeley. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment