cannabisnews.com: Voters Support Ballot Questions on Marijuana





Voters Support Ballot Questions on Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on November 02, 2004 at 22:13:35 PT
By Brian Eastwood, News Staff Writer
Source: Milford Daily News
Area voters supported two nonbinding ballot questions instructing their legislators to support medical marijuana for ill patients and to decriminalize marijuana possession. Voters represented by state Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin, approved a proposal to make marijuana possession a civil violation, like a traffic ticket, instead of a criminal offense.
The measure passed 57 percent to 37 percent in Franklin and Precincts 2, 3 and 4 in Medway. It had more support in Medway, 60 percent of voters, than in Franklin, which had 56 percent.    In the second question, posed to those represented by state Sen. Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge, voters supported allowing terminally ill patients to possess and grow marijuana for medical use with a doctor's permission.    Seven of eight area communities in Moore's district passed the measure, 63 percent to 28 percent. Uxbridge results were not available at press time.    Among the communities, Bellingham voters approved the question by the widest margin, 66 percent to 26 percent. With 61 percent, Northbridge voters passed the question by the smallest margin.    Two state advocacy groups, the Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition, sponsored the questions.    The groups targeted districts represented by lawmakers leading committees that often see marijuana-related legislation. Vallee is House chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee, for example, while Moore is Senate chairman of the Health Care Committee.    Because the ballot questions are nonbinding, neither legislator has to vote in favor of the proposals. Both Vallee and Moore have said they would not support such legislation.    Across the state, four other House districts advocated medical marijuana, while six favored some form of marijuana decriminalization. Source: Milford Daily News, The (MA)Author: Brian Eastwood, News Staff WriterPublished: Wednesday, November 3, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Milford Daily NewsContact: milford cnc.comWebsite: http://www.milforddailynews.comRelated Articles & Web Site:MassCannhttp://www.masscann.org/Waiting To Inhale http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19727.shtmlPot Question on Ballot in Parts of E. Arlington http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19471.shtmlA Show of Support for Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19383.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #37 posted by afterburner on November 05, 2004 at 03:41:33 PT
Demand Peace in Hamilton -- *Update*
"Demand Peace in Hamilton: Thursday, Nov. 4: All Day (approx. 9 am - 5 pm): John Sopinka Courthouse, 45 Main Street East, Hamilton [Ontario] [to protest the arrest of Jean Cooper, 76 year old med-pot patient at the Up in Smoke Cannabis Cafe] -- Special Guest: All the way from B.C., the 'Prince of Pot' Marc Emery"We met in the rain. We stood on the corner of the steps to allow the entrance & the sidewalk to be clear. Some toked on a medical doobie while Marc spun his tales of pot freedom. The cops in this town have a strange attitude: get off our property and get *on* the sidewalk where we can then bust you for blocking foot traffic and endangering pedestrians. To serve and *protect*? We were then dismissed from the public protest: our rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech were violated. We wanted to share our message with the people of Hamilton, not just with the choir that has the courage to enter the Up in Smoke Cannabis Cafe. However, the protest became a party of faithful activists, well-wishers and seekers at the cafe with inspiring speeches, poetry, interviews, conversation, music and pool.Party on, Wayne.Party on, Garth.The Up in Smoke Cannabis Cafe, a safe place to take your meds (med-pot that is) as long as you don't have a joint or a pipe in your hands when the police *inspect* the premises.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #36 posted by Hope on November 03, 2004 at 21:03:21 PT
Sukoi
Yes, I am. Was born in Baker City, Oregon, though.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #35 posted by Sukoi on November 03, 2004 at 15:48:49 PT
Hope
Are you a Texan too? I was born at Lackland AFB, and still reside in Texas - I just can't seem to leave, although I have been thinking about it alot lately!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #34 posted by goneposthole on November 03, 2004 at 14:23:02 PT
I prefer governed
not ruled.Sweden has no army:''I don't know why you're talking about Sweden,'' Bush said. ''They're the neutral one. They don't have an army.'' http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/magazine/17BUSH.html?oref=login&pagewanted=all&position
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #33 posted by Hope on November 03, 2004 at 14:06:15 PT
tombstone
How bout, "Mean people suck".lolGuess that might get to be a sort of infamous Texas tombstone in it's own right.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #32 posted by Hope on November 03, 2004 at 14:01:19 PT
Leonard Peltier
Good for you, John Wayne.I sat in the polling place looking at the space for a write in for a very long time. I seriously considered writing in Willie Nelson's name.I really wish I had. I'd have liked to have said I did it.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #31 posted by Hope on November 03, 2004 at 13:55:55 PT
"seriously considering Canada".
It is so sad that things like that come to our minds at times like this. I even thought about it this morning. But I would never leave. This is my home. I love this land...the land...the dirt...the mountains...the deserts...the skies...the air....this land.We will not be run off and we will not give up until the right thing is being done. "They" can keep me from using marijuana, but "they" can't make me stop complaining about the way people are treated. If this is still going on when I die...if I know in time...I'll have something written on my tombstone that will speak to the cause even after I've gone.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #30 posted by john wayne on November 03, 2004 at 13:46:44 PT
Time for a truly radical suggestion?
This summer at a local street fair I was approached by a Kerry volunteer who asked for my support for John Kerry. I replied that if JK had bothered to differentiate himself from the republicans, I might have done that very thing. I was abandoned pretty quickly by that volunteer.And there's my radical suggestion. Dems, run candidates that actually are different than corporate-clone republicans. What have you got to lose?I voted for Leonard Peltier for president (I live in California, by the way) and I carry the memory of my vote proudly.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #29 posted by TecHnoCult on November 03, 2004 at 13:36:34 PT
Breeze and Hope
I am with you. Though I had many concerns my biggest was how the Supreme Court will be shaped over the next few decades. I think this will be a major setback for many social freedoms, as no doubt the supremes bush appoints will have extreme religious agendas. The bush supremes will breeze through the republican senate.My wife and I are seriously considering Canada.THC
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #28 posted by Hope on November 03, 2004 at 12:07:55 PT
comment # 23
Breeze's comment #23...not 33.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #27 posted by Hope on November 03, 2004 at 12:05:57 PT
"so few of you see this", Comment # 33 
I think we all see it, Breeze. It's like a punch in the stomach. Mostly, we can hardly breathe right now.The Supremes was the first thing I started worrying about this morning...I think...in the long list of things that worry me.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #26 posted by breeze on November 03, 2004 at 12:02:17 PT
expect things to go to s#!t
NEW YORK - President Bush's election victory is shaping up as a potential bonanza for Wall Street, where firms are salivating about the possibility he will follow through on his pledge to allow private investment of Social Security funds. A second term for the Republican president also makes it likely drug makers can head off government-mandated price controls for now. The defense industry also looks like a winner, more regulatory victories may be in store for the Baby Bells, and look for a new push for oil drilling in the Alaska wilderness. While the privatization of Social Security has taken a back seat in this current election, experts predict the president will work with congressional Republicans, who boosted their majority in both houses, on what would be the most dramatic changes in the government retirement program's 69-year history. In addition, the president has gone on record as supporting an increase in medical savings accounts for individuals. Banks, investment firms, mutual fund companies and insurers would offer to help individuals manage these new private retirement investments, which could lead to billions of dollars in new funds under their control and higher profits if legislation clears Congress. "If people are going to have more control over their assets, people are going to need advice on how to manage those assets, and that can only help the financial services industry," said Ken McCarthy, chief economist for vFinance Investments Inc. Regardless of their opinions of the Bush administration, many industries find themselves relieved over a Kerry loss, as the Democratic candidate was expected to have a far more active hand in regulatory issues. Pfizer Inc., GlaxoSmithKline PLC and other drug makers, for example, were facing the potential of much tougher oversight on pricing under a Kerry presidency. Industry analysts expect Bush to continue backing a free-market approach, where demand drives prices for medicines, said Barbara Ryan, a pharmaceuticals analyst and managing director at Deutsche Bank Securities. Still, Bush may have to budge slightly on one of the most contentious issues for the industry — allowing reimportation of cheaper prescription drugs. Analyst Tony Butler of Lehman Brothers said importing medicines from Canada, one of many nations with government-negotiated price discounts, would allow Bush to appease senior citizens, with only a minimal effect on the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. By MICHAEL J. MARTINEZ, AP Business Writer snipped- http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041103/ap_on_bi_ge/eln_business_impact
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #25 posted by afterburner on November 03, 2004 at 11:36:24 PT
Kerry or Bush
Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Limo/3518/ob-la-di.htm
excerpt: "Ob-la-di Ob-la-da life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
Ob-la-di Ob-la-da life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on"***********************"Marijuana Peace Summit: 2 Days of Action in Hamilton [Ontario, Canada]:"Demand Peace in Hamilton: Thursday, Nov. 4: All Day (approx. 9 am - 5 pm): John Sopinka Courthouse, 45 Main Street East, Hamilton [Ontario] [to protest the arrest of Jean Cooper, 76 year old med-pot patient at the Up in Smoke Cannabis Cafe]
 -- Special Guest: All the way from B.C., the 'Prince of Pot' Marc Emery [Disappointed Americans welcome. Middle class cannabis supporters welcome. Wear some nice clothes so that the Paul Martin government can see that cannabis supporters are tax-paying voters too.]"Community Forum: Saturday, Nov. 20: 10 am - 4 pm: Hamilton Theatre (at the Hamilton Central Library) 55 York Boulevard [Hamilton, Ontario] -- Forum Speakers: - Alan Young - Rosie Rowbotham - David Malmo-Levine ...and many more!"Tax! Regulate! License! Sell!
For more info please visit: http://www.UpInSmokeCafe.ca "Sign at the front entrance to the Up in Smoke Cannabis Cafe: "WARNING! This establishment contains marijuana smoke, which causes consciousness expansion, euphoria and general sense of well-being. Marijuana smoke can successfully treat cancer, heart disease and strokes and has beneficial effects on women and pregnancies. However, marijuana smoke is generally irritating to the anal-retentive prohibitionist."
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #24 posted by FoM on November 03, 2004 at 11:31:35 PT
breeze
I know what you mean.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #23 posted by breeze on November 03, 2004 at 11:28:39 PT
It certainly matters who does the ruling!!!
How do you think laws are passed? They begin as bills- inpired and delivered by those who are elected, and then are signed into laws.This election was an especially IMPORTANT election- because not only does the republicans now own the white house,and congress, they also have exclusive priveleges in deciding who and how the supreme court will be shaped for the next forty years- THE NEXT FORTY YEARS! Which means- the cannabis issue will NOT reach consideration- not even for medical- for AT LEAST 60 years. I am quite surprised that so few of you see this. Yes- I suppose this means that I am on the verge of leaving this nation for another, no matter what it takes, I will not stand for nazi agenda- and this is basically what this whole election meant. Look to who bush;s grandfather associated with years ago- and you will find many answers.Under kerry , you would still have government snooping- but under bush, its guaranteed to become even more agressive and invasive. He hasn't hidden his agenda- and now its only a matter of time.If you smoke pot, get ready to be arrested, if you believe in free speech, be ready to lose it, if there were any freedom's you cherished, prepare to be surprised to find that those freedoms are soonto be history.And don't tell me the people won't stand for it- they already have- by not standing up before now, and not voting when they should have. In time my dears, in time...
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #22 posted by FoM on November 03, 2004 at 11:21:08 PT
Oh Fooey
I'm crying. God Bless John Kerry.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #21 posted by FoM on November 03, 2004 at 11:19:13 PT
Hope
If Mr. Soros gives up I would understand. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #20 posted by FoM on November 03, 2004 at 11:18:12 PT
goneposthole
You're right. You're a real good guy.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #19 posted by goneposthole on November 03, 2004 at 11:13:16 PT
'saved' not save
darn keyboard
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #18 posted by goneposthole on November 03, 2004 at 11:11:05 PT
John Kerry doesn't know how lucky he is.
Lucky that he doesn't have to take the reins from George Bush. The Republican voters of this country save him from a fate worse than death.I was pulling for Kerry though.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #17 posted by Hope on November 03, 2004 at 10:49:09 PT
Mr. Soros 
I hope he doesn't give up.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #16 posted by FoM on November 03, 2004 at 09:57:23 PT
goneposthole
I'm afraid it really does matter. Kerry wasn't like Bush. The culture war of a free thinking society versus a religious based society ( that locks up those who don't tow the line ) is what separates the two. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by goneposthole on November 03, 2004 at 09:51:18 PT
does it really matter?
If it is Kerry or Bush?As long as we have an overbearing government snooping into everyone's lives, invading countries, and, in reality, making life less than it should be, does it really matter who it is doing the ruling?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by breeze on November 03, 2004 at 09:38:01 PT
Interesting-
In my state, in almost every post where a republican was running for office, that individual won. typical for where I live, but what about other states? 
When I voted electronically- I had a problem with the amchine- it didn't confirm exactly WHO I voted for. Of course I reported it, but does it matter?I know there is no way of doing a recount- but the machines could have been programmed to favor a certain party. Machines aren't paper- pregnant chads or not.The repubs now have control of almost every major orffice-and now, we are screwed- both this issue, and as a nation. Mark my words, there will soon be a time that many people will regret not looking into the issues concerning the machines used to count the votes this election- not a conspiracy theory, but a keen observation held up to what I have already heard about locally, where other people had issues with their vote- even though they voted for the "winner". Can't call for a recount- it is impossible, and ov course- machines NEVER lie or report false positives.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by cloud7 on November 03, 2004 at 08:16:57 PT
Oakland initiative passed!
Sorry if this was posted alreadyhttp://www.yesonz.org/
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by siege on November 03, 2004 at 07:57:33 PT
god~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~or not
It come down to this how good of a christians or born again christians They think they are and all of them will say that they live god's word and they will all go to the eternal fire for [ JUDGING OTHERS ] for what they DO..  ABORTION was the big one here..( the way I see it, it is between them and the lord,) not ever other donkey thats thinks he is god, they all got in line to get there learners permits to be a [want to be GOD] like there DAD bush I still belive the hight school kids that I heard talking at wal-mark about hacking in to the e-voting machines and they showed me they could do it right there in the check line they want into 4 different programs and if they can do it what to say that Bush did not have someone do it for them. HERE IS WHERE THE PAPER TRIAL COMES IN!! but the judge rule  in bush favor in FL 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by mayan on November 03, 2004 at 07:03:01 PT
Columbia Too!
Columbia,Missouri's Prop's 1 & 2 appear to have passed(results on right side)...
http://www.showmenews.com/Here's more on the Prop's. Scroll half-way down... A day at the races - Voting steady at county precincts:
http://www.showmenews.com/2004/Nov/20041102News002.aspThe way out is the way in...WORLD TRADE CENTER RESCUE HERO SUES BUSH AND OTHERS UNDER RICO STATUTE,ALLEGES WILLFUL COMPLICITY IN ATTACKS 
THAT KILLED 3,000:
http://www.911forthetruth.com/9/11 Truth and the 2004 Election:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0411/S00044.htmNY Attorney General's Office Accepts Unprecedented Citizens' Complaint Demanding Criminal Inquiry into 9/11 Crimes:
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=39128Toward a New Criminal Investigation into the Events of September 11, 2001:
http://www.justicefor911.org/9/11 Truth LA:
http://www.911truthla.us/
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by ekim on November 03, 2004 at 06:20:03 PT
Ann Arbor med use
Friends & Supporters-
The final unofficial vote for Proposal C:Yes 39,806 74.31%
No  13,763 25.69%
http://www.aammi.org
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by The GCW on November 03, 2004 at 05:54:45 PT
Election observations
The 3 states hit by the hijackers, Penn; DC & NY all voted for Kerry. DC only gave 9% of the vote to Bush and 90% to Kerry. While Bush gained support from disobedient christians; how many voters had to cast their ballot in a church and what is and was that effect? It appears as though a skul n bones member won and would have either way. It seems Utah led the Bush vote with 71% of their states vote going to Bush; Do We really want Utah leading the nation?It seems as thought the Dems tried to compete with Bush in a competition of who can be a better Bush.Of course it's not all counted. I may have missed another state that gave Bush a higher percentage of its votes...
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by mamawillie on November 03, 2004 at 05:21:36 PT
Alaska
Alaska was 43 yes/ 57 no... which is disappointing, but last time they voted, it was 41 yes/59 no.... so the movement did gain some ground. I was suspicious of the "overwhelmingly reject" article when I couldn't find the statistics from yesterday.I wouldn't call 43% of voters FOR "overwhelming".
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by cannabliss on November 03, 2004 at 05:03:27 PT
Prohibition = Bad Journalism
Considering mainstream news sources like Reuters feel free to produce jeering headlines like this, it is no wonder that the measure failed.http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=6675259Could you imagine them writing a piece on gay marriage with a headline "If they could only stop sodomizing one another..."? I'm afraid we have a long way to go...
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 03, 2004 at 04:52:08 PT
Bad News In Alaska
Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Marijuana - Anchorage Alaskahttp://www.adn.com/alaska/story/5741117p-5675027c.htmlOh well, back to the drawing borad.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by mayan on November 03, 2004 at 04:42:11 PT
Soares
It seem's that a political newcomer,Albany's DA-elect David Soares, wants to repeal the Rockefeller drug laws!Soares wins Albany DA race:
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=301115From the above link...On Tuesday night, Soares told supporters: ``The voters have demanded that the Rockefeller drug laws be reformed. Every district attorney in the state clinging to these archaic laws will hear today's results. The Legislature must act and the recalcitrant DA's must get out of the way -- or else go the way of the Albany County incumbent.''More on other good news...Medical marijuana approved:
http://www.montanastandard.com/articles/2004/11/03/newsstate/hjjfiijgjjeaeg.txtVoters: Make pot a low priority - Supporters say approval means end to city drug war:
http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~1865~2509998,00.html
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by Nicholas Thimmesch on November 03, 2004 at 04:17:22 PT:
Go figure...
Oregon race for President 898 of 1004 precincts - 89 percent
x- John F. Kerry Dem 796,037 - 52 percent 
 George W. Bush (i) Rep 724,149 - 47 percent 
 Michael Badnarik Lib 5,796 - 0 percent 
 David Cobb PAG 4,285 - 0 percent 
 Michael Peroutka CST 4,270 - 0 percent Measure 33 * 
would amend the medical marijuana act and require marijuana dispensaries for supplying patients/caregivers. It also would raise patients' possession limit.
NO
 58.00%
793,674 votesYES
 42.00%
574,755 votesMontana race for President 807 of 881 precincts - 92 percent
x- George W. Bush (i) Rep 222,462 - 59 percent 
 John F. Kerry Dem 147,462 - 39 percent 
 Ralph Nader Ind 5,192 - 1 percent 
 Michael Badnarik Lib 1,444 - 0 percent 
 Michael Peroutka CST 1,368 - 0 percent 
 David Cobb Grn 849 - 0 percent Medical marijuana approved 
By ALLISON FARRELL
Gazette State Bureau HELENA - Montanans suffering from certain medical conditions may be able to legally smoke marijuana to ease their symptoms come January 1. The Medical Marijuana Act passed by a 63 to 37 percent margin Tuesday with 375 of 881 precincts reporting. The new act will protect patients, their doctors and their caregivers from state and local arrest and prosecution for the medical use of marijuana. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by mayan on November 03, 2004 at 03:49:48 PT
Voting Problems
Here's a site listing various voting problems around the country...Voters Unite:
http://www.votersunite.org/electionproblems.asp
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by siege on November 03, 2004 at 02:14:43 PT
The Fix
The Fix was in when Bush come on Tv in the white house kick back,, in his own way to tell US that he [[stole]] it again. then came Az. ,Miss.,[[ Fl.]] and so on then OH.
What happen to all the Polls results of Oct. 30-31 and Nov 1 that had Kerry ahead of bush some thing is not right. Are you telling ME that everyone that voted in the polls voted the other WAY!!! thats bull s*** I'm not the Sharpest tack in the Box I did not fall off the turnip truck to night or fall out of the womb the day before Yesterday. they must think we are all stupid. all night long the white house been on the CELL's from what they say. 
With all the cell phones all they have to do is call the voting machines to tell them what to do.. look at the west cost of Fl. all the voting machines that where not working and they can not get the vote out of them they said they got bushs vote out but they did not say about Kerry's and there still trying to FIX them By [[cell phone]] at least thats what the Radio is saying at 3:45 Am the 3rd of nov. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 02, 2004 at 22:18:30 PT
Voters Reject Medical Marijuana Measure
PORTLAND (AP) — Oregon voters rejected a ballot measure Tuesday that would have greatly eased access to medical marijuana by raising to six pounds the amount patients could legally possess, and creating state-regulated dispensaries for the drug. 
 With 65 percent of the statewide vote counted, Measure 33 trailed 42 percent to 58 percent — with 667,647 voters rejecting the measure and 490,301 voting for it.http://www.dhonline.com/articles/2004/11/02/news/oregon/orpot.txt
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment