cannabisnews.com: MMJ Advocates Likely To Get a Break Under Kerry MMJ Advocates Likely To Get a Break Under Kerry Posted by CN Staff on October 10, 2004 at 08:01:21 PT By Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer Source: San Francisco Chronicle Sen. John Kerry hasn't tried to make medical marijuana an issue in his presidential campaign, but he has some differences with President Bush on the subject. Kerry says he would end the raids that have been a feature of the Bush administration's crackdown on medical marijuana in California, where voters approved the use of the drug for medical purposes in 1996. The Massachusetts senator has also signed a letter urging the administration to stop blocking medical marijuana research at the University of Massachusetts. Perhaps most importantly, Kerry said at a campaign forum last year that his "disposition is personally favorable'' to marijuana as medicine, but that he would await further scientific studies before taking a definitive stand. He also criticized mandatory minimum prison sentences for first offenders and called for more drug education and treatment. That's not nearly as far as activists would like him to go. Kerry hasn't endorsed legalizing medical marijuana at the federal level or leaving the issue up to the states and hasn't backed legislation, currently stalled in Congress, that would allow patients and suppliers to use their state laws as a defense against federal charges. But Kerry's position and tone suggest that he would take a different approach than Bush, who has escalated the federal war against state medical marijuana laws launched by his predecessor, Bill Clinton. Where the Clinton administration focused on civil suits to shut down the nonprofit clubs that supplied marijuana to California patients, the Bush administration has used criminal prosecutions against growers and suppliers, has sent federal agents to seize a patient's six homegrown marijuana plants and is preparing for a high-stakes U.S. Supreme Court battle against two seriously ill Northern California women. The president hasn't mentioned medical marijuana during the campaign. But in his last campaign, during a 1999 appearance in Seattle, he answered questions about the issue by saying, "I believe each state can choose that decision as they so choose.'' Note: Democrat says he would stop pot club raids pushed by Bush.Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/kerry.htmSource: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff WriterPublished: Sunday, October 10, 2004 - Page A - 4Copyright: 2004 San Francisco Chronicle Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/Related Articles & Web Site:California NORMLhttp://www.canorml.org/Angel Raich v. Ashcroft Newshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/raich.htmMarijuana Rights Group Uniting Behind Kerry http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19366.shtmlKerry: End Medical Marijuana Prosecutionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18114.shtml Senators Back UM Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17685.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #16 posted by FoM on October 11, 2004 at 11:58:19 PT Dankhank I know what you mean. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Dankhank on October 11, 2004 at 11:56:28 PT Christopher Reeves RIP What I remember about his disability is that he always seemed upbeat when interviewed and his comment in one interview that even HE was having trouble meeting his medical expenses with the kind of medical coverage you might expect a wealthy man to have.What it must be like for the rest of us ...RIP ... dead at 52:Christopher Reeves - 2004Ernest Baca - my father - 1982Gregory Allen Foster - my best friend - 2001sorry all ... getting maudlin Hemp N Stuff [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on October 11, 2004 at 09:15:26 PT Christopher Reeve I want to say something about Christopher Reeve. I can't imagine how difficult his life was after he was thrown from a horse while trying to go over a fence. His accident reminds me all to well about the risk of what he did. Many years of my life I did what Christopher Reeve's did. I was thrown over fences many times but luckily for me I was never seriously hurt during those times. I said that to say this. We need to care for people. Christopher Reeve had money and got the best possible care but in the end it couldn't save his life. I am more determined then ever to care for those who need help because of injury or illness. Now I feel better. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on October 11, 2004 at 08:00:38 PT sukoi Thank you for all the information.***Rest in Peace: Christopher Reeve Dies at 52:'Superman' actor known for activism in spinal cord researchhttp://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/11/obit.reeve/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by sukoi on October 11, 2004 at 06:43:15 PT For the Record This is what is posted at Kerrys' web site:http://forum.johnkerry.com/index.php?showtopic=61002&view=findpost&p=444628"Here are some reports of Sen. Kerry's stated positions:From the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)http://www.mpp.org/candidates/guide/kerry.htmlName: Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) Ranking A- (Bush is an F)In short: Kerry would stop the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raids on seriously ill medical marijuana patients as president. Kerry has previously said he favors federal legislation to allow people with cancer, AIDS, and other serious illnesses to have medical marijuana, with their doctors' approval.What Kerry has done: Kerry recently co-authored a letter asking the Drug Enforcement Administration to approve a proposal from the University of Massachusetts Amherst to manufacture marijuana for FDA-approved medical marijuana research. In the October 20 letter to DEA Administrator Karen Tandy, Kerry criticized the National Institute on Drug Abuse's "unjustified monopoly on the production of marijuana for legitimate medical research." The letter also notes, "Federal law makes clear that the ... bulk manufacture of Schedule I and II substances must be provided `under adequately competitive conditions.' ... The current lack of such competition may well result in the production of lower-quality research-grade marijuana, which in turn jeopardizes important research." Kerry has neither cosponsored nor voted on legislation directly addressing medical marijuana.*What Kerry has said: During a Kerry town hall meeting in Henniker on September 20, Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana (GSMM) asked Kerry, "Would you stop the raids, as president?" Kerry responded by saying simply, "Yes." At an August 6 event hosted by his campaign, GSMM's Linda Macia asked Kerry, "On the day you take office, will you stop the DEA raids?" Kerry offered to "clarify" his earlier remarks, saying, "My personal disposition is open to the issue of medical marijuana. I believe there is a study underway analyzing what the science is. I want to get that scientific review" before making any decisions. He said he would "put a moratorium on the raids" pending this review, but he didn't commit to any long-term action to protect patients from arrest. On July 2, responding to a question from Linda Macia, Kerry said, "I'm in favor of" medical marijuana. Kerry added that he wanted "a full analysis of it" and continued, saying, "I've been in favor of its prescription, its prescription for people. We even passed a bill in Massachusetts to allow that to happen."What Kerry has said about marijuana decriminalization: When responding to a question in Rolling Stone magazine about whether he favored marijuana decriminalization, Kerry said, "No, not quite. What we did in the prosecutor's office was have a sort of unspoken approach to marijuana that was almost effectively decriminalization. We just didn't bother with small-time use. It doesn't rise to the level of nuisance, even. And what we were after was people dealing with heroin and destroying lives, and people who were killing people. That's where you need to focus." He also addressed recreational marijuana use by saying, "I've met plenty of people in my lifetime who've used marijuana and who I would not qualify as serious addicts -- who use about the same amount as some people drink beer or wine or have a cocktail. I don't get too excited by any of that.*All current members of the House and Senate running for president have voted for District of Columbia appropriations bills that included anti-medical marijuana provisions, but there was never a separate vote on any such amendment.And from NORML:http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5900Decriminalization US Senator John Kerry (D-MA) is on record voicing mild support for the removal of criminal penalties for the possession of marijuana for personal use. In a November 2003 interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Kerry said he has little problem with the responsible use of marijuana by adults, stating: "I've met plenty of people in my lifetime who've used marijuana and who I would not qualify as serious addicts -- who use about the same amount as some people drink beer or wine or have a cocktail. I don't get too excited by any of that." However, when asked whether he supported decriminalizing the possession and use of marijuana as a public policy, he replied: "No, not quite. What we did in the prosecutor's office was have a sort of unspoken approach to marijuana that was almost effectively decriminalization. We just didn't bother with small-time use. It doesn't rise to the level of nuisance, even. And what we were after was people dealing with heroin and destroying lives, and people who were killing people. That's where you need to focus."When asked during a live November 2003 debate on CNN whether he'd ever smoked marijuana, Kerry responded that he had.Medical Marijuana Kerry is on record voicing mild support for the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Speaking in January 2004 at the New Hampshire College Convention, Kerry said he opposed federally prosecuting medical marijuana patients who reside in states that have legalized its use. However, Kerry stopped short of endorsing marijuana's therapeutic use, stating (as summarized by the Associated Press), "he wanted to wait for the completion of a study to see what other alternatives might be available ... before deciding whether to legalize it in all states."As a Senator, Kerry has been supportive of statewide medical marijuana reform efforts in his home state of Massachusetts. He praised legislation approved by the Massachusetts legislature in 1996 that sought to establish a medicinal marijuana therapeutic research program, and most recently, he wrote a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in support of a University of Massachusetts Amherst proposal to manufacture marijuana for FDA-approved medical marijuana research.Repealing the Drug Offender Exclusionary Provision from the Federal Higher Education Act Kerry is on record supporting the partial repeal of a 1998 provision to the federal Higher Education Act (HEA) that bars convicted marijuana and drug offenders from receiving financial student aid. Speaking in January 2004 at the New Hampshire College Convention, Kerry responded to questioning from the organization, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, by stating that his position depends on the type of drug offense. "If the offense is use, yes," he said. But "if the offense is selling, no."Industrial Hemp Kerry has not taken a public position regarding the legalization of industrial hemp, despite publicly promising to do so at the January 2004 College Convention in New Hampshire. In addition, he failed to respond to a 2004 survey by the organization Vote Hemp, even after the group extended their deadline to accommodate Kerry's staff." [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by dr slider on October 11, 2004 at 00:30:57 PT: what message? The reason "reporters" don't quote directly is because they are lazy, or more accurately , the corporate media in lazy and manipulative. "Getting ahead" in "journalism" no longer requires concise, factual reporting, rather it requires ratings and saleability." Hear-say" is what they do. Believe 10% of what you read and nothing of what you hear.And wait. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on October 10, 2004 at 18:25:19 PT Nicholas I am only kidding with you. I know how serious you are and I don't mean to upset you. I only want to make you smile.Like smile you could be on candid camera! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 10, 2004 at 18:18:06 PT Nicholas There you go talking right over the top of my head! I'll be happy if my one vote counts. LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Nicholas Thimmesch on October 10, 2004 at 18:16:28 PT: Happy to hear you look forward to voting FoM... ...and like some Democrats in Cook County did in 1960: vote early & vote often, even if you are dead. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 10, 2004 at 18:02:42 PT Nicholas This article is at least a beginning. It's more then I've seen from any republican or democrat so far. That's where I get a tiny bit of hope. PS: I'm not a register Republican or Democrat. I don't vote except this year and one or two other times that I think might be only once the more I try to figure out who I voted for. If it was more then once and I can't remember and it didn't leave an impact on me. By the way I did vote for Reagan. That I remember. There! Ha! LOL! I doubt that I'll ever vote again after this year.Senators Back UM Medical Marijuana: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17685.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Nicholas Thimmesch on October 10, 2004 at 17:53:54 PT: 10-4... ...on that FoM: I know you know what's what. I just don't want Kerry or any politician getting credit for something they don't really deserve JUST to get votes in the 11th hour. You won't see an article like that in any of the so-called "battleground states" (sounds like the Civil War, don't it): Kerry's media pals -- like Egelko -- know that the last thing his campaign needs is for the Bushies to start being able to characterize Kerry as "pro-drug abuse", which they may very well be able to do if stories like this continue to surface. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on October 10, 2004 at 17:40:33 PT Nicholas I still can hope. I'm not for Kerry because of our issue. To me any change would just be great. I believe we might win thru the courts. A president isn't the answer in all cases for all things. I'm very realistic. I think you know that about me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Nicholas Thimmesch on October 10, 2004 at 17:30:41 PT: FoM... ...this story reminds me of what Reagan said to Carter in the 1980 presidential debate: "There you go again". Having read this story by Egelko -- a good writer who often covers this issue for the SF Chronicle -- several times over, there are no new quotes offered to live up to the hyperbole of such statements -- by Egelko -- as:"Kerry says he would end the raids that have been a feature of the Bush administration's crackdown on medical marijuana in California, where voters approved the use of the drug for medical purposes in 1996."Why not just supply the exact quote?"But Kerry's position and tone suggest that he would take a different approach than Bush, who has escalated the federal war against state medical marijuana laws launched by his predecessor, Bill Clinton." Just what is "Kerry's position": a voter would be hard pressed to find a single mention of this issue on the official campaign web site, in their mailers and other literature, and I can assure you that he will not be bringing the issue up in the next debate in Arizona (nor has either Kerry or Edwards done so in previous debates and at the DNC in Boston).A basic Kerry/marijuana search of National Journal's political online Bible, The Hotline, comes up with only the tired, year-old Rolling Stone interview:Kerry, answering the inevitable youth-oriented media questions about marijuana: "We have never had a legitimate War on Drugs in the United States, ever, and we won't until we have treatment on demand for addiction and until you have full drug education in our schools. The mandatory-minimum-sentencing structure of our country is funneling people into jail who have no business being there. ... I've met plenty of people in my lifetime who've used marijuana and who I would not qualify as serious addicts -- who use about the same amount as some people drink beer or wine or have a cocktail. I don't get too excited by any of that" (12/2/03).Nope: there is nothing new here, other than the pro-Kerry Chron trying to drum up support wherever they can find it. Even if it is from people who are downplayed this way:"That's not nearly as far as activists would like him to go"Another faux pro-Kerry headline: and faux story. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on October 10, 2004 at 17:25:59 PT rchandar I'm with you in that I'm not sure either but hope is a good thing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by rchandar on October 10, 2004 at 17:11:42 PT: your hope I'll take my uncle's refrain when I hear this one:"I'll believe it when I see it"--rchandar [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 10, 2004 at 08:17:53 PT This Is My Hope Maybe we will win soon. I sure hope so. Being liberal like they call Kerry is what we need. He will listen and we know Bush has a one track mind. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment