CONGRESSIONAL POLL ON PROP. 215
A bipartisan plurality of California's congressional delegation oppose the
Clinton administration's efforts to overturn Prop 215, according to a poll
by Reason magazine (April 1997).
Although a plurality from both parties expressed support for the voters'
verdict, 33 of the state's 54 representatives and senators declined to
respond to the poll. Several expressed relief that the issue had not played
a larger role in the campaign.
Support for the voters' verdict ranged across the political spectrum, from
liberal Democrats such as Rep. Ron Dellums and Lynn Woolsey, to moderates
Tom Campbell and Gary Condit, to conservative Republicans, such as Rep.
Chris Cox, James Rogan, and Sonny Bono.
The most prominent critic emerged as Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a leading
Democratic contender for Governor. In a letter to constituents, Sen.
Feinstein explained, "While I opposed Proposition 215 as it was written,
there may be a way to develop a medical exception allowing the use of
marijuana if it is more carefully drawn. For example, if it is prescribed
in writing by a recognized medical doctor for people in terminal conditions...
Three questions were asked:

(1) Do you support the Clinton administration's threats to crack down on
physicians and others who exercise their rights under Prop. 215?

(2) Opponents of Prop. 215, such as drug czar Barry McCaffrey, have claimed
that voters were "asleep at the switch" and "hoodwinked." Do you think
voters of your state were incompetent in passing this law?

(3) Do you believe that physicians who prescribe or recommend marijuana to
relieve a specific medical condition should be subject to criminal
prosecution?

The responses: XNo answer; DNRDid Not Respond
[To save band width I removed all the "DNR" who did not sign George Brown's
letter.]
US SENATORS (1) (2) (3)
Sen. Feinstein Y Y X
Sen. Boxer DNR
US REPRESENTATIVES
lFrankRiggs Y Y Y
(would like to see research conducted)
2 Wally HergerY Y Y
("Prop. 215 opens a loophole that you could drive a truck
through")
27 James Rogan Y Y Y
29 Henry Waxman DNR**
31 Matthew Martinez N Y N
33 L. RoybalAllard Y N Y
42 George Brown DNR**
44 Sonny Bono N N N
(opposed Prop 215, but believes feds shouldn't step in)
47 Christopher Cox N N N
49 Brian Bilbray N Y N
(dissatisfied with language, but not intent, of Prop. 215)

5 Roert Matsui X N X
6 Lvnn Woolsey** N N N
9 Ron Dellums** N N N
13 Pete Stark** N N N
14 Anna Eshoo N N N N
15 Tom Campbell N N N
16 Zoe Lofgren N N N
18 Gary Condit N N N
(opposes legalization, but supports states' rights)
20 Cal Dooley N N N
21 Bill Thomas Y Y Y
22 Walter Capps N N N
24 Brad Sherman DNR**
25 Buck McKeon Y Y Y
** Signed letter by Rep. George Brown to
Pres. Clinton asking that the gov't
not prosecute doctors
for recommending medical marijuana.