This legislation seeks to amend the discrepancy between federal law and the laws of over a dozen states that have enacted regulations governing the therapeutic use of cannabis. At the same time, passage of The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act of 2009 will not alter or interfere with already existing federal laws discouraging the non-medical, recreational use of marijuana, nor would it legalize the physician-supervised use of medical cannabis in states that have not already approved it.

The use of marijuana as medicine is a public health issue; it should not be part of the war on drugs. Nearly half of all doctors with opinions support legalizing cannabis as a medicine, and over 80 state and national health care organizations — including the American Nurses Association, American Public Health Association, the American College of Physician, and The New England Journal of Medicine — support granting qualified patients immediate legal access to medical cannabis.

To deny an effective medication to the sick and dying in order to “send a strong message to kids” against drug abuse is cruel and unconscionable, and improperly interferes with the relationship between a patient and his or her physician. State and federal laws already allow the medical use of many drugs, such as cocaine and morphine, which can be abused in a non-medical setting. Basic compassion and common sense demand that we allow the seriously ill to use whatever medication provides safe and effective relief. That is why 8 out of 10 American voters now say they support the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes.

Thirteen states — Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington — have enacted laws protecting medical marijuana patients from state prosecution. The citizens and representatives from these states, as well as from additional states that seek to regulate the controlled use of medicinal marijuana, should be allowed to act in a manner that is free from federal interference.

Once again, I urge you to support The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act of 2009.

IN ADDITION TOO the above: The U.S.A concerned citizens are as baffled as the Canadian’s as to the ludicrous actions of the law enforcement agencies when it comes to marijuana. If the law enforcement agencies would use their talents to stop real crime, that is running rampant, the heinous crimes that harm people, ie: murder, rape, robbery, corporate greed, election tampering, illegal invasions, blocked investigations, cover-ups, torture, suppression of constitutional rights by The Patriot Act, outing CIA agents, lumber & water disputes, beef, environmental destruction, air-pollution, same-sex marriage, euthanasia, or abortion — then law enforcement wouldn’t have time for the marijuana issues; if they were doing their jobs correctly. With 35 states passed legislation recognizing marijuana’s medicinal value — then why this war with the Federal government on this issue with patients and voting citizenry being denied their rights?
According to Judge, Francis L Young, ruled 9-6-88, that : “Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known…. It would be unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious for the DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance.” Even after people vote it in — still the Federal government doesn’t respect the peoples voices. Why? According to Drug Policy News it stops cancer, and has many other positives. Airing on Wisdom TV ‘ Spaceship Earth Marijuana A Forest Survival Strategy’ by IB&C Ges, m.b.H. , Producer Gernot Schreck; in short, showed and stated everything you can see and touch can be made from this product marijuana.

One alternative would be for the sake of the ecological and economical potential vitality growth and inexhaustible potentials, to eliminate revenue short falls with an abundance of REVENUES that conservatives estimate of its profit potential will surpass $500 BILLION a year. Then why is the government against this substance Marijuana? That not only does the above but lessens the stressors of life for all; insuring domestic tranquility by allowing the production and farming of marijuana for the personal and commercial uses by its citizenry, improving the quality of life — and stopping the drug war on this substance, and saving lives! Moreover, marijuana is not harmful, or a violent substance, nor does it push you to harder addictive substances such as alcohol, tobacco, or addictive drugs, as the government would have you believe by their info-commercials. In reality, the plant is proven to cause laughter, the best medicine, heals and releases endorphins and enhances the immune system within the bone morrow for excellent health, via the God grown plant eliminates depression and all the negatives that make you ill. Also, is drought resistant, self-fertilizing, and pest-resistant, fireproof, and fast growing for plentiful product. Allowing for a better quality of life and a healthy body. This substance has been around since 8000 B.C., and there is no recorded record of a person ever being in a coma, an overdose, or even death resulting from the use of only marijuana, in spite of the disinformational practices of the government.

Plus it would create JOBS and clean energy for America, farming a natural resource, while allowing our trees to replenish and clean up the carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere, and real national security!!! When you look at the true statistics of this natural substance, there should be a law to prevent unreasonable depletion of a natural agricultural heritage and degradation of a valuable and natural resource such as marijuana. It is ludicrous to not see the truth and the potential for America’s REVENUES from this natural substance. The list is unlimited for the inexhaustible potentials of this plant.

It seems our law enforcers want to eradicate cannabis and legalize the most demoralizing issues; not because these plants pose any real danger to the users or to society, but because they are a danger to the oil-based economic wealth on which they have built their ivory towers. In conclusion : to all concerned, with a quote from our Constitution: ….”But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.” In otherwards, It is the responsibility of those that have the ability and means to make things right for those that can not. So congratulations to Marc and Jodie Emery of Canada, and the California residents, in doing just that! U.S.A. is BY, FOR and OF the PEOPLE — so why isn’t our voices and votes being honored when it comes to this issue?

Our Constitution never intended nor was ever meant to have the government suppress or stifle the peoples voting voices.

Clair