Madison NORML

The truth is, Congress created this problem in 1970 by passing the Controlled Substances Act, wrongly classing marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug with no medical use and a high abuse potential. While medical marijuana legislation has so far fared poorly in Congress, another opportunity to do the right thing awaits.

Next week, Congress will vote on the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment, which would forbid the Justice Department from spending money on arresting or prosecuting medical-marijuana patients in states where it is legal. The amendment was defeated last year but received 152 votes, including those of Wisconsin's 4 Democratic congress members.

In addition, the States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act, HR 2087, was introduced May 5 and now has 36 cosponsors, including Rep. Tammy Baldwin. Prior versions of this bill have been bottled up in committee by the GOP leadership, without a hearing or a single vote. Recently George Bush has been saying his nominations deserve a simple vote up or down. Medical marijuana legislation deserves the same. Republicans like to talk about family values and a culture of life while supporting the status quo that criminalizes some of our most defenseless citizens for the simple act of trying to live.

Citizens must now speak out on behalf of patients and make their support known and continue to do so until Congress does the right thing. Rather than waiting for accident or illness to strike you or a loved one - and finding out the only medicine that can help is illegal - please let Congress know this issue needs to be resolved now. I'm Gary Storck from Madison NORML with this listener commentary on The Mic 92 point 1...

-END-