URGENT: Congress to vote on medical marijuana

[RS Davis]

Dear Libertarian:

Please read this action item, which we are forwarding at the request of the Marijuana Policy Project, a Washington, DC-based drug policy organization, and take the appropriate action.

Thank you,

Joseph Seehusen
National Executive Director
Libertarian Party


= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

A message from Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project

Friends:

The U.S. House may vote as early as Wednesday (July 7) on a measure that would prohibit federal agents from raiding, arresting, or prosecuting patients who use medical marijuana in compliance with state law.

Please read this background information, then IMMEDIATELY call your U.S.
House representative at [phone], [phone] or 877-762-8762
(toll-free) and ask him or her to vote YES on the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment when it comes to the House floor.

You can also send a fax at the click of a button by going to:

www.mpp.org/DD/action.html

The Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment, introduced by U.S. Reps. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), would bar the U.S. Justice Department from raiding, arresting, or prosecuting patients who use medical marijuana in compliance with state law.

Over the past three years, the federal government has boldly and remorselessly raided seriously ill patients (and their caregivers) who are using medical marijuana in compliance with their states' laws.

This is only the second time in history that the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on this amendment. In July 2003, congressional observers were surprised when the amendment garnered 152 votes, falling short of passing by only 66 votes.

This year, we can win!

Since last year, there have been numerous positive developments related to medical marijuana: Vermont became the ninth state to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest and prison; groups such as the United Methodist Church, the American Nurses Association, and both the New York State Medical Society and the Rhode Island Medical Society have endorsed MPP's medical marijuana bills; and federal courts have granted injunctions and issued rulings undercutting the federal government's war on medical marijuana.

With this momentum behind us, we are within reach of winning a medical marijuana victory in the U.S. House of Representatives, which would be our first victory ever in Congress.

How can we win?

We need you to call [phone], [phone] or 877-762-8762
(toll-free) to urge your U.S. representative to vote for the Hinchey- Rohrabacher amendment during consideration of the federal spending bill that funds the U.S. Justice Department (and the DEA). You must let your U.S. representative know that this vote is important to you.

Here's a sample of what to say when you reach your U.S.
representative's office:

"Hi, my name is _______________, and I vote in ____________(city).
I'm calling to ask Representative ________________ to vote on July 7
for the Hinchey-Rohrabacher [pronounced ROAR-ah-BAH-ker] amendment
to the Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations bill. This amendment
would bar the Justice Department from raiding patients who use
medical marijuana in compliance with their state's law."

Then visit www.mpp.org/DD/action.html to send him or her a fax.

Just enter your zip code, which will identify your U.S. representative.
A prewritten message will be available. You can strengthen the message's influence by personalizing it. A final click on the "submit" button will automatically send it to your U.S. representative.

You can also help by forwarding this e-mail to friends and family who want to see medical marijuana patients freed from the fear of arrest and imprisonment. Tell them to act now!

Remember, last year, it was a success just to be able to get a vote on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. This year, we can actually win!

[outgirl]

I was late getting to this. Did they vote? How'd it turn out?

[RS Davis]

I don't think it is too late, actually...

- Rick