Arlen Specter in favor of medical marijuana

[Pepper]

Posted on Tue, Jun. 21, 2005

Dan Gross | Specter favors Rx grass

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/living/11945309.htm

Arlen Specter says he "may introduce legislation" in the Senate in favor of medical marijuana.

The U.S. senator, who has long supported the use of human stem cells for disease research, told Your Humble Narrator yesterday that he's in favor of a state's right to decide whether to allow its doctors to prescribe marijuana.

Specter himself, who is battling Hodgkin's disease, could be a candidate for medical marijuana use.

The Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that federal agents could arrest people who use doctor-prescribed marijuana in states that have authorized it, including California and Oregon.

Medical research has proven the drug successful in reducing pain and nausea in people with cancer and other diseases.

Specter's remarks to the Daily News came before a speech at the Loews Hotel (12th & Market), where he was honored by the Philadelphia Bar Association.

He vowed during his speech to beat his cancer. His spirits were up, and he joked several times about the Bar Association medal, which disappeared after rolling under a row of tables when it was to be handed to him.

The medal was later found by a Loews staffer and Bar Association Chancellor Andrew Chirls presented it to Specter, none the worse for wear.

[Torkel]

[Torkel]

[Stokes]

Very interesting.

I'm one of Specter's constituents ... and I will be writing him tomorrow to help encourage the prospect of the legislation.

Thanks Pepper.
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Where love is, there God is also.

-Mahatma Gandhi

[Pepper]

Arlen Specter is chairman of the Federal judiciary commitee so this is good news. Legislation has to pass the judiciary commitee first and having the chairman in favor of a state's right to decide is encouraging.

Senator Arlen Specter Tel: 202-224-4254 or Web Form

I urge everyone in the US to call and express their support.

[Torkel]

Contact & request just made..

Peace,
Torkel
_________________
Miller vs U.S. (230 F 2nd 486,489): "The claim and exercise of a Constitutional right cannot be converted into a crime."

Miranda vs Arizona (384 U.S. 436, 125): "Where rights secured by the Constitution are involved, there can be no rule-making or legislation which would abrogate them."

HAGANS vs LAVINE (415 US 533 N-3,note 5): "Once JURISDICTION is challenged it must be proven by the Plaintiff."

[Torkel]

Contact & request just made..

Peace,
Torkel
_________________
Miller vs U.S. (230 F 2nd 486,489): "The claim and exercise of a Constitutional right cannot be converted into a crime."

Miranda vs Arizona (384 U.S. 436, 125): "Where rights secured by the Constitution are involved, there can be no rule-making or legislation which would abrogate them."

HAGANS vs LAVINE (415 US 533 N-3,note 5): "Once JURISDICTION is challenged it must be proven by the Plaintiff."