Representatives Respond

Our Representatives Respond 051111

The Prospect, on hearing of the fed’s new “crackdown” (no one has actually cracked anything down) on medical cannabis in the states, followed the advice of the Supreme Court and approached our representatives.  We asked them, essentially, if they supported the voters of their states who legalized medical cannabis, or if they supported the right of the feds to use force to overturn the voters in those states with medical cannabis.

To our amazement, we’ve heard back from two of the three representatives we contacted.

From Barbara Boxer we got a nice letter, though it tap-danced a little:

Thank you for writing to me about medical marijuana.  I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.

As you may know, in 1996, Californians passed Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act.  This law legalized the possession and cultivation of marijuana for personal medical use with the approval of a California licensed physician.  A 2003 law established a state medical marijuana program and set guidelines for the application of Prop 215.

I believe that medical doctors should be allowed to use their best judgment in deciding the most effective treatment for their patients.  In the past, Congress has considered legislation that would prohibit the enforcement of federal laws banning medical marijuana where it is permissible under state law.  Be assured that I will keep your views in mind should similar measures be introduced during this Congress.
Again, thank you for taking the time to write to me. Please feel free to contact me again on any issue that concerns you.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

What we got from Tom McClintock’s office was stronger by far:

“The recent threat by the federal government to prosecute state employees facilitating access to medical marijuana is a gross overreach of its Constitutional authority.  This decision rightfully belongs to the states and Californians have already spoken clearly on the matter with the passage of Proposition 215.” -Tom McClintock, CA-04.

Boxer is shy, but will likely jump the right way when the clap comes; McClintock actually seems to be living up to his libertarian views.  Maybe McClintock will take this issue head on, as he has the Forest Service and other issues of local concern. 

It’s frustrating when government so slowly rolls over itself, trying to catch up to history, but the wind has turned.

Thanks again to our representatives who responded!

Haven't heard from Feinstein.