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.
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