Hinchey “encouraged” by House support for failed medical marijuana bill

Monday July 30, 2007


Hinchey “encouraged” by House support for failed medical marijuana bill


Washington – For the fifth time, Reps. Maurice Hinchey of Hurley and Dana Rohrabacher of California have proposed allowing states that adopted medical marijuana laws the ability to use them. Last week, their latest effort failed again, but this time 165 lawmakers voted for it – a record number.

Hinchey said Washington should not be usurping state’s' rights. “What we’re doing here is basically is saying that the federal government is violating a basic provision of the Constitution, which stipulates states’ rights, and the states have the right to make decisions with regard to the way medical care is carried out and administered,” he said.

Hinchey points to a 1999 study that indicated marijuana can relieve severe pain, nausea, and appetite loss in certain patients, including those with cancer.

Twelve states have adopted medical marijuana laws, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.


http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/med_mar_Hinchey-30Jul07.html


DaBronx