In a historic vote today.  The Senate Appropriations committee voted 21-9 to approve an amendment put up by Senator Mikulski (D-MD) to protect state medical marijuana laws.  This amendment is the companion to one that passed last week in the House 242-186, sponsored by Rep Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Rep Farr (D-CA).

“Bi-partisan support from our elected officials on marijuana law reform is refreshing.”  -says Sharon Ravert, Executive Director of Peachtree NORML,  ”Soon there will be no excuse left for states to deny patients safe access.  It is time to put seeds in the ground and stop stalling.  The most danger surrounding this plant is the criminality of getting caught with it.  Pick a model, mimic it and move quickly.  – the Feds are calling off the dogs.  It is a great day indeed.”

Here is the vote:
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) : YES
Christopher Coons (D-DE): YES
Dick Durbin        (D-IL):        YES
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA): NO
Patrick        Leahy (D-VT): YES
Jeff Merkley (D-OR): YES
Barbara        Mikulski (D-MD): YES
Chris Murphy (D-CT): YES
Patty Murray (D-WA): YES
Jack Reed (D-RI): YES
Brian Schatz (D-HI): YES
Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH): YES
Jon Tester      (D-MT): YES
Tom Udall       (D-NM): YES
Lamar Alexander   (R-TN): YES
Roy Blunt   (R-MO): YES
John Boozman  (R-AR): NO
Shelley Capito (R-WV): YES
Bill Cassidy (R-LA): YES
Thad Cochran   (R-MS): NO
Susan Collins   (R-ME): YES
Steve Daines   (R-MT): YES
Lindsey Graham (R-SC): NO
John Hoeven        (R-ND): NO
Mark Kirk              (R-IL): NO
James Lankford        (R-OK): NO
Mitch McConnell        (R-KY): NO
Jerry Moran        (R-KS): YES
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): YES
Richard Shelby (R-AL): NO

This is a huge victory, and one your financial support helped us achieve. We must not lose sight of our broader goal. This bill only protects state medical marijuana laws for the next year. We need to pass the CARERS Act to end federal medical marijuana prohibition for good.  Track the Carers Act in the House here and in the senate here.  We need you to contact your legislators and ask them to support this common sense measure to protect states.  Ask them to think of the 10th amendment as they consider their vote. You are a citizen who can make a difference.  NORML works to educate the public and elected officials to the need for marijuana law reform, please consider a monthly donation so that we can continue to education in Georgia.  You can donate here.

read more…from NORML