DC Board Of Elections May Be Prohibited From Officially Certifying Election
Results

CONGRESS ORDERED D.C. VOTE VOIDED, FIRST EVER IN US HISTORY

Washington, DC - Congress has suspended an election. An amendment
included on the FY 1999 D.C. budget prohibits the certification of
election results conducted in the District of Columbia on a citizens'
Initiative `59. The initiative, if approved, would protect the sick
and dying by permitting doctors to recommend marijuana for patients
with serious and terminal illnesses like cancer and AIDS.

The amendment, introduced by Republican Bob Barr (GA), reads: "Sec.
171. None of the funds contained in this act may be used to conduct
any ballot initiative which seeks to legalize or otherwise reduce
penalties associated with the possession, use, or distribution of any
schedule I substance under the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C.
802) or any tetrahydrocannabinols derivative."

The ballots for Initiative 59 are already printed, and will be voted
and counted. However, the DC Board of Elections may be prohibited from
officially certifying the results. "Congress has struck at the heart
of Democracy. Too many people have sacrificed their lives fighting for
the right to vote," states I-59 sponsor, activist Wayne Turner.

Is the war on marijuana and its users so serious that fundamental
constitutional freedoms must be sacrificed? I've heard Congressman
Leach say, his job is to represent the people. Voiding an election, is
this representation? I thought this kind of thing only happens in
third world countries. Contact your members of Congress and tell them,
this is wrong!

For more on this and other cannabis news, see http://www.marijuananews.com/

James Getman
Davenport, IA