THE DISTRICT

JUDGE HEARS PLEAS, SAYS LITTLE ON POT VOTE

A federal judge heard arguments yesterday in the dispute over last month's
vote on a medical marijuana initiative in the District but set no timetable
for a decision on whether the results will take effect or be made public.

U.S. District Judge Richard W. Roberts asked plenty of questions but gave
no signals about how he might rule in the lawsuit filed by the American
Civil Liberties Union on behalf of backers of Initiative 59, a measure that
would permit seriously ill people to use marijuana for medical reasons.

Federal legislation enacted less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 election
prohibits the District from spending money on any initiative that would
"legalize or otherwise reduce" penalties for users of marijuana. Although
D.C. residents voted on the matter, officials have not tabulated the
results or released them because of the congressional action.

The D.C. government and ACLU joined forces yesterday to argue that the
congressional action infringed upon voters' First Amendment rights. The
Justice Department, representing Congress, contended that Congress has
ultimate authority concerning legislation in the District and acted
legally. Lawyers said they hope for a ruling within the next two weeks.

Checked-by: Richard Lake