Marijuana Policy Project

Norwich--About a dozen supporters of using marijuana for medical purposes protested Friday U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons' opposition to a proposal prohibiting federal agencies from arresting such users in states that legally allow it.

What they hadn't expected was drawing Simmons' personal attention.

"As you know, there is a great debate on this issue," Simmons, R-2nd District, told the small gathering outside the Norwich Courthouse across the street from his office. "Even here in Connecticut, not everyone is in agreement on this issue, and I haven't seen the evidence yet to convince me to change my view."

Simmons did, however, tell protesters that if they had compelling evidence to the contrary, he would be more than happy to review it.

"I was very impressed with him being cordial, and literally coming out here," said Mark Braunstein of Quaker Hill, one of the organizers of Friday's protest. "In terms of his response, I don't think I possibly could have asked for anything more."

Braunstein, a librarian at Connecticut College, suffers from a spinal chord injury sustained in a diving accident 14 years ago. He uses marijuana two or three days a week because of spasms.

"It's very effective for me, especially when you compare it to the prescribed drugs and the side affects they have," he said.

"And I think I'm a good example of a productive member of the community. I have a full-time job, so the marijuana does not interfere with my functioning as a productive member of the community."

Friday's protest was one of about a dozen at congressional offices across the country by groups favoring the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Organizers of the nationwide effort are targeting 150 members of Congress this week, hoping to convince some to support next month's scheduled vote on the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment.

That amendment would effectively prohibit federal agencies from arresting individuals in states that allow the legal use of marijuana for medical reasons.

Currently nine states permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Connecticut law, enacted in 1981, permits a doctor to prescribe marijuana but requires doctors and pharmacies to obtain licenses from the state Department of Consumer Protection to distribute it. No doctor or pharmacy has ever obtained such a license.

"The state law bumps heads with the federal law," said Rob Rooks, executive director of the New Haven-based A Better Way Foundation, a positive drug forum that advocates for the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

"We have patients' right here in Connecticut who risk incarceration everyday, and we think that's wrong."

For the past five years, Rooks, Braunstein and others have lobbied state lawmakers to change the wording of the state law, replacing "prescribe" with "recommend."

That change, they claim, would eliminate the conflict between the state and federal law as it now exists. So far, however, they have been unsuccessful in achieving that change.

Simmons cited that as another of his own concerns in regards to the change in federal law when meeting with the protesters Friday.

"The problem is," he said before joining the group on the sidewalk, "the law enforcement community doesn't support it.

"And I take my lead from the state and the police chiefs. Federal agencies enforce federal laws, and I haven't seen any compelling evidence to make me want to change my mind on this."