HOME RULE AND INITIATIVE 59

The Election Board is mistaken that the congressional rider in the fiscal
1999 D.C. budget banning funding for the medical marijuana initiative
prevents counting ballot results. The appearance of Initiative 59 on the
ballot is purely an election matter having nothing to do with implementing
the law. It is strictly a matter of voter rights at this point. If applied
this way, the rider is unconstitutional because it denies voters' rights.

If Congress legally can thwart Initiative 59 at the ballot box, it
effectively can deny all democratic processes to the District by forbidding
funds to be used for any elections at all.

The votes for Initiative 59 should be counted, and this witch hunt against
those who use marijuana medicinally must end immediately.

STEVEN KENNEDY

Alameda, Calif.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski