cannabisnews.com: Med Marijuana Patients Win New Hampshire Primary Med Marijuana Patients Win New Hampshire Primary Posted by CN Staff on January 28, 2004 at 08:44:40 PT Press Release Source: Common Dreams Manchester, NH -- Medical marijuana patients were the clear winners in today's New Hampshire primary as U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) beat former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean by a double-digit margin, while a solid majority of Granite Staters voted for candidates who have pledged to end the Bush administration's raids on medical marijuana patients and providers.On the campaign trail, Kerry said he favored federal medical marijuana legislation and pledged to end the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA's) raids on patients and caregivers in states with medical marijuana laws. The stand earned him an "A-" grade in Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana's (GSMM's) voter guide. Gen. Wesley Clark (D-AR), in third place with three-fourths of the votes counted, also pledged to end the raids and received a B+.Dean, in contrast, killed popular medical marijuana legislation when he was governor of Vermont and failed to pledge a permanent end to the DEA's raids. Dean's final GSMM grade was a D-.In the past week, GSMM volunteers and staff escalated their ongoing efforts to educate voters about the candidates' positions on medical marijuana through mass literature drops and a television commercial highlighting those candidates, including Dean, who refused to pledge an end to federal attacks on patients. The group conducted auto-dials throughout the last month that urged voters to call Gov. Dean's campaign to ask him to pledge an end to the DEA's raids and also leafleted campaign events of the candidates with poor records, including Dean, U.S. Sen. John Edwards (D-NC), and U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT)."Our goal was to change the political dialogue on medical marijuana, and we succeeded beyond our wildest dreams," said GSMM Campaign Coordinator Aaron Houston. "When our auto-dials began, some polls showed Howard Dean leading Sen. Kerry by up to 30 percent. Just a month later, there's been a more than 40-point swing. These results, combined with the polling data, prove that no office-seeker needs to fear the political consequences of standing up for medical marijuana patients, and that is a huge victory, no matter who wins the nomination."An August 2003 Zogby International poll showed that Dean's position on the issue hurt him with New Hampshire voters. When voters were told that Dean had acted to block a medical marijuana bill in Vermont, 28 percent said they would be less likely to vote for him in the Democratic presidential primary, while only 10 percent said they would be more likely to support Dean. The poll showed 31 percent of voters were more likely to vote for Kerry based on his support for medical marijuana, with only 7 percent saying they were less likely to support Kerry because of his medical marijuana position.The campaign now moves to states that have medical marijuana laws, where the issue is likely to generate increased attention. Five medical marijuana states -- California, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, and Washington -- have primaries or caucuses in the next 35 days. The first of these are Washington and Maine, which hold caucuses on February 7 and 8, respectively."States that have medical marijuana laws -- almost all passed by overwhelming popular votes -- could hold the key to the nomination," Houston said. "Democrats should also remember that several of these states had razor-thin margins between Bush and Gore in the 2000 election, and a fairly small number of committed voters could make the crucial difference in 2004." Houston added that no decision has been made on whether his group and its parent organization, the Marijuana Policy Project, would air television advertisements in upcoming primary or caucus states.Senator John Kerry -- http://www.granitestaters.com/guide/kerry.htmlContact: Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana -- http://GraniteStaters.com/Bruce Mirken: 415-668-6403Aaron Houston Granite: 603-669-2962Source: Common Dreams (ME)Published: January 27, 2004Copyright: 2004 Common DreamsContact: editor commondreams.org Website: http://www.commondreams.org/Related Articles & Web Site:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Ad Highlights Presidential Candidates MMJ Positionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18171.shtmlKerry: End Medical Marijuana Prosecutionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18114.shtmlSenators Back UM Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17685.shtmlMarijuana as a Prescription Drug is ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17032.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #27 posted by Virgil on January 28, 2004 at 20:48:54 PT This is a puff piece for Kerry This article is meant to sway people to see Kerry as favorable to cannabist reformers. It is a puff piece. I say that the A- that NORML gave should be adjusted. I was too soft when I gave him a D+. D is more like it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by Marc Paquette on January 28, 2004 at 17:04:29 PT: JUST FOR A LAUGH..a video to watch! De nada amigo John Wayne...it's my pleasure :o) LOLPeace,Marc http://www.medpot.net [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by jose melendez on January 28, 2004 at 16:34:43 PT vaporizer makes news in cafe theherald.co.uk/news/8866.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by kaptinemo on January 28, 2004 at 16:27:05 PT: My own take on things I'm afraid I have to hold with John Wayne; Kerry is no 'bud' of ours so long as he drags Beers along behind him, whispering in his ears. Kerry knows the whole sordid Iran/Contra coke-for-guns fisaco, but keeps mum about it. According to some sources, such as Iran/Contra pilot trainer Terry Reed, who worked for master smuggler Barry Seal before Seal was executed by his former paymasters, Der Shrubbenfeuhrer was caught receiving several bags of the 'weis scheisse' as a payment for services rendered. Kerry could have sunk the Busco machine YEARS ago with a single question, but never asked it. Because of this, I doubt Kerry is all that Presidential. Beers is directly responsible for the planning of the 'fumigation' of dirt-poor Colombian campesinos, who, just as has been predicted here, have been tricked into believing their own government's promises, and are dying...either of glyphosphate poisoning, or simple starvation as their food crops 'accidentally' sprayed wither and shrivell.Here's a CNEWS search on articles concerning Beers: http://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=Rand+BeersMake of him what you will.But if one thing is true about the article, it's this: you and I, dear readers, are a voting bloc tens of millions strong that COULD tip the balance precisely as the article intimates. We are the sleeping giant that, when awakened, could finally move mountains...and not be so easily patted on the head and pushed aside, for the organization that helps a Dem become Prez is also one that could be very vocal about any slight wavering of that Prez in even considering going back on his word. Such a political presence, if enough people registered as Dems - and tell the registrars *why*, folks - could cause (and according to this article, may have already done so) pols to modify their positions favorably towards us in the campaign. And if a Dem pol were so myopic that he or she couldn't tumble to the idea that here is an issue that could forever relegate the oxymoron 'compassionate conservatism' to the political dumpster where it belongs, then they are truly as assinine as their adopted symbol. For if anything speaks of compassion, it's providing the sick and dying with what they need. And if anything is the antithesis of that compassion, it's every act the Busch Regime has done since taking office with regards to almost anything; the drug issues become one more sharpened stake for the Bushco vampire. Busch cannot possibly say that terorizing and killing innocent children in drug raids, handcuffing paraplegics while an entire crop of medicine for desperately ill people is stolen by his minions, etc. is 'compassion'.I'll say this again: we could be the deciding factor. You and me. This year. Next year, we could be free...if we want it bad enough. So, The Question has never been, "Do you want to be free?". No, The Question has always been, "WHEN do you want to be free?" [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by The GCW on January 28, 2004 at 16:23:34 PT Kucinich gets better when We use dead bodies for a unit of measure. By election day there could be a few more hundred dead Americans in Iraq and Kucinich is the guy who will get Us out the quickest.That is going to be harder for Americans to ignore, one dead body at a time.&In case You haven't heard: Democratic Presidential nominee, Dennis Kucinich, put in writing that as PRESIDENT He WILL: "DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA" -"in favor of a drug policy that sets reasonable boundaries for marijuana use by establishing guidelines similar to those already in place for alcohol." (POSTED ON His website!) http://www.kucinich.us/issues/marijuana_decrim.php NOTE: Colorado residents (for example) must register to vote as a Democrat by the Feb. 13, 2004 deadline to be able to vote for which Democrat will run against George W. on April 13. That is 60 days before the caucus on April, 13. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by john wayne on January 28, 2004 at 15:35:12 PT on a lighter note that CBC video is a real day-brightener.Muchas gracias, Marc. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by john wayne on January 28, 2004 at 15:26:51 PT look for an about face from Kerry on cannabis, medical or otherwise.I predict that should he remain the front runner, Kerry will suddenly find the need for "more research" to decide whether med. cannabis works or not.Sorry, after watching politicians stab the cannabis legalization movement in the back for 40 years, I simply cannot get my hopes up that any presidential candidate will take cannabis legalization/decriminalization promises to the finish line and beyond.signed, grumpy old man WHO WOULD LOVE TO BE PROVED WRONG FOR ONCE [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on January 28, 2004 at 14:55:25 PT Marc We just got done showing the video to a friend who doesn't have a computer. I just love to shock people if I can! It is so darn funny! [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Marc Paquette on January 28, 2004 at 14:37:23 PT: JUST FOR A LAUGH..a video to watch! LOL, lmao: http://www.cbc.ca/mondayreport/videos/ontario.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by BigDawg on January 28, 2004 at 14:07:09 PT Pennsylvania LOL - Pennsylvania alcohol laws are half a step from prohibition as it is.Not overly surprising. And lets not forget PA is where Operation Pipe Dreams was orchestrated from. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by yippierevolutionary on January 28, 2004 at 13:48:35 PT I am laughing so hard right now While researching prohibtionist candidates for Cannabis Cards I found this web site http://www.prohibitionists.org. They are a political party that actually espouses the benefits of a national alcohol prohibition. LOLThey have one elected person in Pennsylvania who is a tax assesor lol [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by jose melendez on January 28, 2004 at 13:09:37 PT ok, but no more goose steps Absolutely!The Drug War Crimes Act should encourage amnesty.Maybe Loretta Nall will get a bunch of volunteers to videotape Kerry's position on the subject when he is in South Carolina. You know, to get some of this inclusiveness going, Sharpton, Kucinich and the others really ought to be offered some input into the new White House.I think Rand Beers has excellent credibility. He's already conceded some points. Maybe I'll just have to interview a few DynCorp people myself! [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on January 28, 2004 at 13:00:48 PT Jose The way I read it was this way. I had a few riding students that became Chemical Engineers. I haven't seen them for years but they were all fired up about the profession. I think most people have good motives that enter that field but along the way they start to figure out that what they are told isn't true and some will leave. Could that be what happened? [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by jose melendez on January 28, 2004 at 12:39:40 PT either way we win If Beers does not join leap.cc and repent, he'll just be next. We the people will no longer tolerate war on us. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by yippierevolutionary on January 28, 2004 at 12:34:53 PT No Question Who the Man is Dennis Kucinich is the man. And he has my vote. But Kerry may have some promise inside him. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on January 28, 2004 at 12:29:42 PT VitaminT I read the article but I'm not sure I understand the impact of it. If Rand Beer quit Bush and went to work for Kerry maybe he didn't want his job with Bush anymore? I miss a lot when I read somethings sometimes though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by VitaminT on January 28, 2004 at 11:50:26 PT John Kerry may be the best we can hope for in terms of dumping resident Bush but he's far from ideal if ending the Drug War is a priority.Case-in-point: check out the drug NAZI chosen by Kerry to advise him on National Security matters.Sen. Kerry taps ‘Drug War’ Zealot as top advisor by Sean DonahueWhen Rand Beers quit his job as counter-terrorism advisor to President Bush, and signed up with John Kerry’s presidential campaign, he quickly became a hero to Democratic Party loyalists and the “Anybody but Bush” crowd. But Beers, who has become Kerry’s top national security advisor and would likely serve as National Security Advisor or Secretary of State in a Kerry administration, has a dark history. Under Presidents Clinton and Bush, he served as Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and was one of the chief architects of and apologists for the United States’ cruel policies in Colombia.-snip-I'm voting for DK in the primary assuming he's still in the race when my state primary is held, but if Kerry is the next best choice then yikes! We need to ask him about MMJ and Drug policy about 10 million times before the general election so we can get him on record as many times as possible. Those Granite Staters did a great job keeping the issue front and center - they set a great example for the rest of us to follow. Here's the complete article [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by jose melendez on January 28, 2004 at 11:22:44 PT this story happened right down the street go to: news-journalonline/downloads/012804beat.gif [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on January 28, 2004 at 10:59:47 PT Virgil I appreciate you. If people didn't stay up on what is happening with John Kerry's views on issues some of us could be lulled to sleep with visions of Camelot dancing in our heads. Each one of us because of our different ways of approaching an issue will help make a difference and we might just win. Win what I don't know but win none the same! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by E_Johnson on January 28, 2004 at 10:58:01 PT the G-word That ignominious faux liberal too good for his old hood prison state licking pothead kicking to do list ticking sysematic sycophantic G***.There got that out of my system. :-) [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Truth on January 28, 2004 at 10:28:54 PT plus Kerry's a Deadhead. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Virgil on January 28, 2004 at 10:19:27 PT Kerry is no Messiah It is the reform movement aroung the world and the changing wind in the United States, that has caused this little tipping of the hat to the cannabis community. If Kerry were a true supporter on an intellectual level of medical marijuan he would be screaming that the Schedule 1 classification of cannabis is a total lie. He would say that it should be downgraded to Schedule whatever Dr. Russo says and the states can do what they want.If Kerry is A- on cannabis we have some serious grade inflation. Besides that this is lip service. Where is his legislation. He is a Senator with a staff and the Senate is in session. It is time to call him on the details of prohibition. He is not giving a nod and a wink because of the Kerry history on cannabis needs changing, he is changing because of the growing wind.I still say it makes more sense to vote for DK if you want your voice heard. But even with Kerry someone has to attack the rheotoric and ask where is the legislation Kerry. Bush ran his mouth on MLG and look where we are.You can be sure that the GW extracts are forcing the hand of anyone that lies to defend the Schedule One Lie. There have to be defections because what is a Senator going to say when an MS patient in California that has broken the total prohibition thanks to 9th Circuit Court of Appeals calls him a liar and he holds up a delivery device full of homegrown medicine.The SOL is completely indefensible. At this point, I think a lot of people have lost their marbles. For these Granite Staters that are applauding, they should be screaming. They should be screaming for the Kerry position on the SOL. They should have used there words to reach more people about GW extracts and to demand action.Kerry's position is not correct. It might be the most friendly in tone while lacking any substance. I understand people can say Kerry is the one to back on the cannabis issue. I also know it is the wind that has made him bend. The thing should not be to praise. The thing should be to blow.The one thing it does is break the silence. We need to advance the truth. We also need to demand action instead of words. There is still the issue of freedom and we should speak of that. If you continue being robbed with black market prices, we will not arrest you is not friendly. It still will not keep you from being drug tested and fired from your job.Dean cannot change the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals views. Dean cannot stop GW extracts from working. Dean cannot keep those extracts out of Europe and Canada, Australia, and NZ. He cannot stop India and the UK and then the rest of the world from making their own as it only requires seeds, light, water, soil, and alcohol. Nobody can stop it. The jig is up.Kerry's position on cannabis puts him at maybe a D+. You cannot receive a passing grade and support the SOL. The wind should attack the Kerry words and say your legislation on this is an F. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on January 28, 2004 at 09:54:39 PT It's a Beginning Kerry might be able to help us. I can tell he is a person who has enjoyed Cannabis more then one time. He smiles too much to be ignorant of it's worth.PS: He didn't shun his friend Peter Yarrow like Al Gore shunned his old friends from The Farm.Excerpt from New York Times Article.And I want to thank our special talented musicians who have joined us along the way. Peter Yarrow, who is not here tonight -- he's been part of this journey -- and Carole King over here. (Applause. Cheers.) Complete Article:http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/27/politics/campaign/text-kerry.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by yippierevolutionary on January 28, 2004 at 09:38:17 PT His rolling stone interview sounds promising Virgil linked to it the other day but the highlight of it was although he doesnt support the outright decriminalization he supports an unwritten understanding that it's not worth it to prosecute us. That sounds a lot like Hollands policy to me, and I think we would all like living in the Netherlands [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on January 28, 2004 at 09:08:28 PT yippierevolutionary That is a powerful comment and so very true.Senator Kerry said: "How can you ask someone to be the last man to die for a mistake?" [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by yippierevolutionary on January 28, 2004 at 08:59:52 PT I am starting to warm up to Kerry I like what he said when he got back from Vietnam"How can you ask someone to be the last man to die for a mistake?" [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 28, 2004 at 08:49:18 PT More Good News I'm hoping that this might be the beginning of the end of the prosecution of Medical Marijuana Patients. It's been a long time coming! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment