Medical Marijuana Supported
June 26, 2004
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
WASHINGTON The fight for a compassionate medical marijuana policy is getting a boost from religious organizations ranging from the Episcopal Church to the Union for Reform Judaism.
Even though some of these groups have supported legislative change for years, one Washingtonarea advocacy group is worried that lawmakers forget this broad religious support when it is time to cast their votes.
"Politicians who say they oppose medical uses of marijuana say theyre doing it because of morality," said Charles Thomas, executive director of the Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative. "But what I want to know is, where did they get their ideas about morality?"
The Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment was first proposed in the House of Representatives last summer, but it lost by a 2-1 margin. Ten states currently allow sick people to smoke marijuana, but even in these states, citizens could be subject to federal prosecution for using the drug.
Supporters of a new policy include the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the National Council of Churches, the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Unitarian Universalist Association.
(In Arkansas, medicinal use of marijuana is not legal. According to the Internet site Drug-Rehabs.org, the penalty for possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.)
Religion News Service
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