AMERICAN CAPITAL VOTES FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Voters in Washington have strongly endorsed the legalisation of marijuana
for medical purposes, ballot results released yesterday show. The measure,
initiative 59, was passed by a majority of more than two to one.

Unless blocked by congress, it will change District of Columbia law to
legalise the possession, use, cultivation and distribution of marijuana if
recommended by a physician for serious illnesses. Under existing law in the
capital district, marijuana possession is punishable by up to six months'
jail and a fine of $1,000 (pounds 625).

The vote was 69% in favour of legalisation and 31% opposed, on a 40% turnout
of Washington's 420,000 eligible voters.

It is the biggest majority in favour of marijuana legalisation in any US
jurisdiction.

The result was greeted by Chuck Thomas of the reformist Marijuana Policy
Project as "phenomenal".

"For the eighth time in two years, American voters have made it clear that
patients should not be arrested for using marijuana," he said.

The capital joins four west coast states - Alaska, California, Oregon and
Washington - where voters have endorsed similar laws. Arizona, Colorado and
Nevada have also voted for change but have been unable to implement it for
various local legal reasons.

The eastern state of Maine is expected to vote on the issue in November, and
other states, including Massachusetts, are expected to face similar ballot
resolutions during the 2000 election cycle.

Voting in the District of Columbia took place during the midterm national
elections in November last year, but publication of the results was blocked
until yesterday by Republican opponents of legalisation in congress, which
oversees the government of the capital.

Last week a federal judge accepted a legal challenge and lifted the ban. The
law change cannot come into effect for 30 days, during which congress must
decide whether to allow it or try to block it.