cannabisnews.com: Attacking Med Marijuana Users Doesn't Make Sense Attacking Med Marijuana Users Doesn't Make Sense Posted by CN Staff on July 23, 2004 at 12:52:46 PT Guest Editorial Source: Desert Dispatch It's difficult to see what good could come from federal prosecution of an emaciated cancer patient who needs a pot brownie to keep her dinner down. It's equally difficult to see why the U.S. House of Representatives is seeking to limit states' rights by overriding laws that allow the use of medical marijuana.A 268-148 House vote July 7 approved a measure to allow the federal government to continue prosecuting people who use medical marijuana where it is allowed by state law. Washington state voters approved a citizen initiative allowing for the use of medical marijuana by more than a 2-to-1 margin percent in 1998. It gave people with serious medical conditions like HIV, cancer and multiple sclerosis the right to possess and use marijuana with a doctor's approval. It does not allow for the sale of the drug.Our system of government clearly allows federal laws to take precedence over state laws; however, this crusade led by Republicans, the party dedicated to limited government and states' rights, seems both hypocritical and out of step with the people's larger concerns.At a time when the Bush administration should be focused on its cornerstone issue of national security and Congress should be giving as much attention as possible to the American public's concerns about the economy, whether or not a few people with AIDS are lighting joints is a minor concern at best.Critics of medical marijuana laws argue that they encourage drug use, yet they cannot offer proof of the claim. Representatives on both sides of the issue have argued that medical marijuana prosecution should not be a national priority.Last year, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled that the federal law outlawing marijuana should not apply to people using it on a doctor's recommendation. The Bush administration appealed and the U.S. Supreme Court agreed last week to hear the case.The high court refused to hear a case brought by the Justice Department that would have punished doctors who discussed with their patients the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.This is not only a matter of states' rights, it's a matter of national priorities and personal freedom.The Bellingham Herald (Wash.)Editorials are the opinion of the newspaper and are often written and signed by General Manager Hans K. Meyer. In some cases we use editorials from other publications and wire services. When those editorials are used, the original publication or wire service is identified.Source: Desert Dispatch, The (Victorville CA)Author: Friday, July 23, 2004Copyright: 2004 Desert DispatchWebsite: http://www.desertdispatch.com/Contact: john_bennett link.freedom.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmLawmakers Say No To Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19152.shtmlCourt Boosts Medical Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17979.shtmlMedical Pot Users Win Key Ruling http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17976.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by Max Flowers on July 24, 2004 at 12:46:57 PT "Federal law supercedes" -- WRONG "Our system of government clearly allows federal laws to take precedence over state laws;"This person needs to study the Constitution more closely. The "federal supercedes state" argument is factually wrong, and worse, is misused by those who desire to oppress the people (state citizens). His heart is in the right place but he just spread this lie/disinformation for the opposition once again.From http://www.supremelaw.org/authors/mcdonald/vol1-9.htm :The Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2) only applies to certain sections; it does not apply to Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 and several other sections which are the municipal power of Congress. The federal government was never given internal police powers that could have operated within any of the sovereign states. Constitutional Powers (1837) Justice Baldwin. Congress' municipal legislative police powers do not apply within the boundaries of the states of the union, but they DO apply to the citizens of the District of Columbia wherever they are "resident", in any country all over the world. It also applies to any federal territory that is not within the jurisdiction of one of the several states of the union of several states. The Supremacy Clause only pertains to those sections that have applicability to all the government of the several states of the union.The Supremacy Clause is being misconstrued by everyone, to the detrimen of the people. The reason that this is so is that the government only talks about the federal constitution; this way, the People never hear about their state Constitution. The Constitution of your state is really what protects you and secures your unalienable Rights, the federal constitution only applies through the purported 14th Amendment which is not law, (see Congressional Record House, 13 June 1967, pages 15641-47). The misinformation that is given out by various individuals, agencies, and the controlled media is intended to mislead you. Please be aware of this intent. Do not believe me or anyone else. Do your own studying, because in this way you can discover the truth for yourself. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by tokenitallup4162 on July 24, 2004 at 07:27:37 PT: THERE GOES MY VOTE TO KERRY!!!! I hate to sound like I'm getting caught up in this ratrace of politics. but the lesser of the two evils would be mr. kerry, just my opinion here, for me! I wonder how the elections would go if no one showed up to vote!? I can see by now that medicinal marijuana is not one of their main issues, here. For the new voters this year or first timers, in the booth. Voting is our right, it seems it might be taken away,like all other serious issues,we constantly strive to make. Everytime our voices are not heard then WE lose. If this was my only reason I went to the election booth, medicinal marijuana issues., I wouldn't even get up out of bed that day.Good thing for the politicians, I do have more issues here. Get involved, if you never complain to your representatives, then, well, you need to. Especially on the issue of medicinal marijuana. Have a good day. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment