VIETS PROMOTES FEDERAL ACTION ON MEDICAL POT

Hulshof Spokesman Criticizes Measure

A Columbia attorney is calling on U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Columbia,
to support a congressional measure halting federal prosecution of
people who use medical marijuana when the use complies with state law.

Twelve states allow the use of marijuana with a doctor's prescription.
Attorney Dan Viets, local chapter president of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said Congress would
vote either today or later this week on a provision in a budget bill
known as the Hinchey Amendment.

That measure would effectively say that the Department of Justice
could not spend any federal funds on enforcement of laws against
marijuana use and possession by medical patients who possess or use
marijuana when that use is in compliance with state law.

"It really is the essence of what many conservatives claim to support
- - and that's states' rights, or in this case, also that the principle
would be centralized decision-making," Viets said today in an interview.

"Why do we need the federal government to come in here and tell us how
to run our business? So it strikes me as ironic that ... our
conservative congressperson in particular would resist supporting this."

A spokesman for Hulshof indicated the six-term lawmaker would not
budge from his opposition to the medical marijuana amendment.

Hulshof spokesman Scott Baker said the amendment would prohibit law
enforcement from enforcing existing federal laws, which he said "makes
no sense and is a dangerous precedent."

"Federal prosecutors could prosecute someone in Missouri, but those in
Colorado or Hawaii, or any other state that has passed" medical
"marijuana laws, would be shielded from federal law by their state
law," Baker said.

Viets agreed that the amendment would prevent federal officials from
enforcing state law in narrow circumstances.

"It does make sense if you believe that people who suffer from cancer,
from multiple sclerosis, from AIDS and HIV, if you believe that those
people deserve an opportunity to relieve their suffering," Viets said.
"There are other things at stake here other than some vague and
amorphous idea that all federal laws must be enforced."

Baker said several medical organizations - including the American
Medical Association and the American Cancer Society - oppose using
marijuana as medicine. He called the amendment part of an incremental
strategy to legalize pot.

"Everyone appreciates that Mr. Viets has a singular purpose in life.
He wants to see pot legally sold on every street corner," Baker said.
"Unfortunately he doesn't understand where the vast majority of people
in the Ninth District are on this issue. He isn't even close to being
in the vicinity of the ballpark."

Viets and others at a news conference today in the Boone County
Government Center said the amendment was separate from legalizing marijuana.

"People need to see this with different eyes," David Sapp of Columbia
told reporters. Sapp said he used marijuana in California under a
prescription to fight the effects of MS.

"It's really not about drug use," Sapp said. "It's really not even
about marijuana. What it's about is providing compassionate medical
care for people who are suffering."