Subject: Medical Marijuana moves closer to reality in DC
From: [email-masked]
Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 14:52:59 -0400 (EDT)

ACT UP Washington Media Alert
for immediate release   May 17, 1997
contact Steve Michael at 202.547.0854
DC Elections Board Approves Medical Marijuana signature drive
Family Research Council files papers in opposition

On Friday May 9, 1997 Washington DC's Board of Elections and Ethics agreed
unanimously that the proposed DC medical marijuana ballot initiative,
"Protecting Medical Patients and Providers from Marijuana Prosecution Act"
meets the statutory requirements for ballot initiatives under DC law.  The
Board of Elections has until May 29 to prepare the initiative for the
signature gathering effort.  

Noted initiative sponsor Steve Michael, "Not one DC resident came out to
speak in opposition to the medical use of marijuana.  Our only opposition
came from a Maryland resident who works with the right-wing wackos at the
Family Research Council."  Michael has learned from reliable media sources
that the Family Research Council, led by former Reagan administration
official Gary Bauer plans to work closely with President Clinton's Drug Czar
Barry McCaffery in an effort to stop the initiative. "Having the very people
that handled Ronald Reagan's AIDS policy coordinating the opposition to
medical access to marijuana for people with AIDS and cancer will prove
beneficial for us."

Michael predicts that the signature drive will be successful.  "Sick and
dying people and their doctors should not be made criminals.  Especially in
this era of 'zero tolerance', people with AIDS, cancer, and other illnesses
need to be protected."
17,000 Signatures needed to
secure vote of the people
Notes Wayne Turner, coordinator of the signature gathering effort  "We need
the signatures of 17,000 registered DC voters.  We will be gathering
signatures at the upcoming Gay and Lesbian Pride event as well as the during
the 4th of July Weekend and during the special election on July 22 for
Council Chair."  Organizers are planning an official kick-off to the petition
drive once the Board of Elections and Ethics completes its certification
process.

The proposed DC ballot initiative, called "Protecting Medical Patients and
Providers from Marijuana Prosecution Act," improves upon measures passed last
year by voters in California and Arizona.  The DC initiative shields
physicians who discuss the medical use of marijuana from prosecutors, and
maintains the prohibitions on marijuana for non-medical purposes.

Individuals wishing to help in the signature gathering effort may do so by
contacting Michael or Turner at 202.547.0854.  The campaign office in support
of legal access to medical marijuana is located at 409 H Street, NE (easily
reached via the X2 Metro Bus Line or just five blocks from Union Station).