Policy Information Exchange

A bill that would have effectively prevented federal officials from prosecuting medical-marijuana users and suppliers was defeated 264-161, with only 15 Republicans voting in favor of the measure.

Reuters reported June 15 that this was the third year in the row that the bill was sent down to defeat in the House, although 13 more legislators voted in favor of the bill this time compared to 2004.

Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ill.), who fought against the bill, said medical-marijuana supporters were "hiding behind a few sick people to try to in effect legalize ... marijuana in this country. The rhetoric about marijuana as a treatment for medical purposes was probably dreamed up at some college dorm."

But bill sponsor Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) said the measure was about compassion, not legalization. "It would give relief to people suffering from horrific diseases and allow their doctors to decide which drugs will work best," he said.

One of the few Republicans to support the bill, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), cast his vote as a states-rights issue. "Let's not have a power grab by the federal government at the expense of these poor patients and the right of doctors to make these decisions and not politicians," Rohrabacher said.

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