cannabisnews.com: Presidential Candidates Pressed on Marijuana Issue





Presidential Candidates Pressed on Marijuana Issue
Posted by CN Staff on July 09, 2003 at 17:59:25 PT
News Story
Source: NewsMax.com
Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana has confronted various candidates running for the Democratic Party's nomination for opinions on the drug issue. Some responses: On July 2, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., told New Hampshire medical marijuana advocate Linda Macia that he was "in favor of" medical marijuana. Ms. Macia said that Sen. Kerry "came right out and said, 'I'm in favor of it.'" Kerry added that he is "in favor of its prescription." This is a positive statement from Sen. Kerry, who is a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination. 
The next day, Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., said that although as president he would not sign legislation that would allow seriously ill people to use marijuana, he would respect and defer to the laws of the individual states. On July 6, Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., told GSMM that he would "probably" sign legislation to allow seriously ill people to use medical marijuana with their doctors' approval and that he is "sympathetic" on the issue. Before a national C-SPAN audience, Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., said that as president he would "put together a group of people" to study whether medical marijuana is "important to provide pain relief." Meanwhile, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean continues to struggle to nail down his own position on medical marijuana. Earlier last week, on June 30, Dean retreated from a previous promise to ask the Food and Drug Administration to report on the evidence regarding marijuana's medical safety and efficacy within 60 days of taking office. Dean stated on his Web site that marijuana should not be treated any differently than other drugs up for FDA approval. As governor, Dean blocked legislation that would have protected patients in Vermont. GSMM is seeking donations for its work. "Our work in New Hampshire is completely unfunded at this point, so every dollar you give will help us turn up the heat on the presidential candidates," says a spokesperson. "Alternatively, if you do not donate to our presidential campaign work, MPP will be hard-pressed to maintain our campaign through the January 27, 2004, New Hampshire primary." Source: NewsMax.comPublished: Thursday, July 10, 2003 Copyright: 2003 NewsMax.comWebsite: http://www.newsmax.com/Contact: http://www.newsmax.com/comments.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Site:Granite Staters for Medical Marijuanahttp://www.granitestaters.com/news/alerts.htmlDemocrats on Weedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16602.shtmlDemocratic Candidate Backs Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16448.shtml
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Comment #8 posted by mayan on July 10, 2003 at 06:17:18 PT
RepubliCrats Suck
Many Republicrats will jump on the mmj bandwagon since they know that over 80% of Americans support a patient's right to use it. Kucinich is definitely the pick of the litter, but when is the last time a Republicrat kept a promise regarding meaningful cannabis law reform(save Gary Johnson)? Until a third party enters the arena things will likely never change. Otherwise, the old CFR will bind the two parties & continue to strangle the system. How long has the "corporate duopoly" been in control? What have they done except screw things up? If Ron Paul runs as a Libertarian he might get my vote...unless Jesse steps into the ring. 
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Comment #7 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on July 10, 2003 at 05:54:02 PT
Kucinich
The Granite Starters website has some interesting things to say about Kucinich. Despite his recent cries to end the drug war, they write:In 1998, Kucinich voted for H.J.Res. 117, a resolution opposing efforts to legalize marijuana or other Schedule I drugs for medical use. The resolution condemned "efforts to circumvent" the Food and Drug Administration's drug-approval process via state medical marijuana laws, and it contained language suggesting that medical marijuana laws add to "ambiguous cultural messages about marijuana use [that] are contributing to a growing acceptance of marijuana use among children and teenagers." The resolution passed by a vote of 310-93.Now that he's campaigning, he's all against the drug war. But it's past actions like these that disturb me...
http://www.GraniteStaters.com/guide/kucinich.html
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Comment #6 posted by WolfgangWylde on July 10, 2003 at 04:17:22 PT
If a candidate says they are for medical marijuana
...then they are most likely LYING. Hell, Bush even said he would leave it up to the States, and we all know how that turned out.
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Comment #5 posted by ekim on July 09, 2003 at 20:29:27 PT
right on stone
if anyone finds the concerts that Willie will be haven for Dennis please post. The farm Aid will be in Columbis and Dennis represtents those people, that will be a test to see if his own come and represtent there elected representive.
He has been asked to speak at events by Ralph Nader, which was never reported that i could find. Now if Nader, Johnson (Gov) , and Dennis speak on the same platform watch out.
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Comment #4 posted by Dankhank on July 09, 2003 at 20:09:07 PT
Free Cannabis
"Dean stated on his Web site that marijuana should not be treated any differently than other drugs up for FDA approval. As governor, Dean blocked legislation that would have protected patients in Vermont."Dean IS the problem. He cancelled his Mon. coming stop in OKC.I was looking forward to meeting him and telling him where he goes wrong in his thinking. Catch ya later, Dean ...I want affirmative action to apply to Cannabis. It has NEVER been treated like any other drug by the Government and as such, deserves special treatment.Immediate legalization is the only answer.
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Comment #3 posted by SoberStoner on July 09, 2003 at 20:05:22 PT
Notice someone absent?
Where is Dennis Kucinich at?He is the one person out of all of these slimeballs that I believe actually wants to change America for the better.Kerry is the typical prettyboy figurehead. Takes good pictures, makes good sound bites, but really doesnt seem to have much substance other than what will get him airtime. Sounds too similar to Clinton for me, even though I liked Clinton, his escalation of the WoD was deplorable. I dont see anything to lead me to believe Kerry is any different.Graham is wimping out already and would stand by as the DEA marches all over states rights some more.Edwards wants more studies when there is already plenty of medical evidence that todays policies are too harsh, dont work, and cost too much. More stalling tactics so they can suffocate more monkeys to 'prove' cannabis really IS the demon plant born of satan's loins!Lieberman is a republican in disguise. I have had rather personal experience with his fascist policies. I have worked in radio and the video game industry, both of which Lieberman wants to scapegoat as the cause of all of America's problems. Little red pixels depicting blood on a computer screen does not cause kids to go to school and shoot anyone they see. The reason I did not vote for Gore was not because I didnt like Gore, but I cannot stand Lieberman.Dennis Kucinich strikes me as a man who only claims he is democrat just because he knows that an independent candidate cannot hope to survive a long term campaign as a serious candiate. I have railed against the two party system for a long time, but I will vote for Kucinich, just to spite the media who seem determined to derail his campaign even before it starts. He has been the loudest voice calling Bu$h out for his conduct, yet any stories in mainstream media give quotes from the 'leading Democratic candidates' and usually Kucinich isnt even mentioned or if he is, it is a one line blurb, prefaced by 'the dark horse candidate'If I've learned anything from my ventures into journalism and the mass media, it's to pay attention to what people say, HOW they say it, and perhaps most importantly, what they DONT say.Ok, stepping down from my soapbox.SS
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Comment #2 posted by Virgil on July 09, 2003 at 19:38:12 PT
Kerry says I am no dope-Free Cannabis For Medicine
I think you should try to act like you can make real decisions and display honesty. Now honestly, Mr. Kerry, why not Free Cannabis For Everyone?Cannabis Prohibition is supported by dopes in Congress.Cannabis Prohition is supported by the dope in the White House.Cannabis Prohibition is aupported by dopes. People that actually have experieced cannabis know better. Cannabis is a beneficial plant. It is nutricious. Someone needs to make some cannabis soup and fight some heart disease and cholesterol. Why, it is all because of a bunch of lying, treasonous, dopes in Congress. 
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Comment #1 posted by JHarshaw on July 09, 2003 at 18:08:24 PT
Off Topic
Marc Emery busted in Winnepeg for possesion of Cannabis. Since no Magistrate was available they will hold Marc overnight and he will see a Judge in the morning.no peace.......no pot
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