DEMO HOPEFUL TELLS SF PAPER HE SUPPORTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich has become the first Democratic
candidate to say he will support the legalization of marijuana for medical
use if he's elected.

The Ohio representative told the San Francisco Chronicle in a story
published today that pot should be available to any patient who needs it to
alleviate pain and suffering.

California voters approved just such a measure and it is currently state
law. However -- the Justice Department says federal law takes precedence.
Under federal law, marijuana is illegal.

Kucinich told the newspaper during a telephone interview that compassion
requires the drug be available to the sick.

He says that if he's elected, he will sign an executive order permitting it
to be used by patients who need it.