WASHINGTON WON'T GIVE UP ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

WASHINGTON - A medical marijuana initiative could be on the District's
November ballot. Supporters of the measure say they've collected about
39,000 signatures from District residents. That's more than double the
17,000 required to put the measure on the ballot.

Members of the Marijuana Policy Project plan submitted the petitions to the
D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics this afternoon. MPP spokesman Bruce
Mirken said putting the initiative before the voters is another step toward
giving District residents with serious illnesses another tool to help them
manage their pain.

Robert Kampia of the MPP said he expects the measure to pass easily in
November. It's similar to one approved by voters in 1998 which would have
allowed people suffering from serious diseases like cancer, glaucoma, and
AIDS to keep up to one ounce of marijuana or four live plants for medical
purposes. That measure was backed by 69 percent of the voters but members
of Congress blocked it from taking effect.

Mirken said some members of Congress could attempt to block implementation
of any medical marijuana law in the District even before voters go to the
polls.