D.C. VOTED IN FAVOR OF MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA

D.C. voters would overwhelmingly allow marijuana to be used for
medical purposes. The city's elections board says results from last
November's ballot initiative show 69 percent of the 110,000 who voted
would allow marijuana for pain relief and other medical purposes.

The results were released today by the city elections board, almost a
year after the vote.

In raw numbers, 75,536 voters voted for the limited legalization of
marijuana; 34,621 opposed it.

U.S. District Judge Richard W. Roberts ruled Friday that the votes
should be counted and announced. A ban attached to the District budget
had kept everything on hold. The American Civil Liberties Union sued
for release of the results.

The appropriations bill for the fiscal year beginning October 1
approved by Congress contains a provision sponsors say would allow the
vote tally but prohibit the change in law. However, that bill faces a
veto threat from President Clinton.