FROM: Robert D. Kampia, MPP executive director
DATE: Thursday, March 9, 2000
SUBJECT: Update on forfeiture, Hawaii, and Maryland bills
FEDERAL FORFEITURE REFORM BILL
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has just announced that the committee has once again postponed its vote on the forfeiture reform bill (S. 1931) until Thursday, March 23.
If you have not already done so, please send a letter to your two U.S. senators by visiting <http://www.forfeiture.org/>.
TWO HAWAII MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILLS PASS
The two medical marijuana bills in Hawaii were passed by the full Senate and full House of Representatives on March 7!
The Hawaii House of Representatives passed H.B. 1157 / HD 2 by a 32-18 vote (with one state representative not voting). The Hawaii Senate passed S.B. 862 / SD 2 by a 13-12 vote.
This is only the third time in history that both chambers of a state legislature have passed legislation to protect patients from state- level prosecution: Maine did so in 1992 and California did so in 1995. Unfortunately, the governors of both states vetoed those bills. A veto will not occur in Hawaii, as the Hawaii governor actually introduced the medical marijuana legislation in the first place!
The House bill now crosses over to the Senate, and the Senate bill crosses over to the House.
If H.B. 1157 / HD 2 or S.B. 862 / SD 2 is enacted into law, patients who use medical marijuana with their doctors' approval will no longer be subject to arrest and imprisonment under Hawaii state law. It would also protect physicians from being penalized for recommending the medical use of marijuana.
The House Health Committee passed H.B. 1157 in February 1999, and the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee passed the bill with a 7-4 vote on February 29, 2000. On March 7, the full House passed the bill by a 32-18 vote.
In February 1999, the Senate Health Committee passed S.B. 862, and the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the measure with a 5-1 vote on March 3, 2000. On March 7, the full Senate passed the bill by a 13-12 vote.
If both the House and Senate can ultimately agree on the same bill, then Governor Ben Cayetano will definitely sign it into law, as he has indicated he remains supportive.
Please see <http://www.mpp.org/Maryland> for details.
HOW TO SUPPORT THE MARIJUANA POLICY PROJECT
MPP is funded entirely by the contributions of its dues-paying members nationwide. To support MPP's work and receive the quarterly newsletter, "Marijuana Policy Report," please send $25.00 annual membership dues to:
Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)
P.O. Box 77492
Capitol Hill
Washington, D.C. 20013
202-232-0442 FAX
Because MPP devotes 100% of its efforts toward influencing public policy, contributions are not tax-deductible. The following on-line membership form allows you to make tax-deductible contributions: <http://www.mpp.org/join-mpp.html>