Subj: US: D.C. Voted in Favor of Medical Use of Marijuana



Pubdate: Mon, 20 Sep 1999



Source: Associated Press





D.C. VOTED IN FAVOR OF MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA



D.C. voters would overwhelmingly allow marijuana to be used for

medical purposes. The city's elections board says results from last

November's ballot initiative show 69 percent of the 110,000 who voted

would allow marijuana for pain relief and other medical purposes.



The results were released today by the city elections board, almost a

year after the vote.



In raw numbers, 75,536 voters voted for the limited legalization of

marijuana; 34,621 opposed it.



U.S. District Judge Richard W. Roberts ruled Friday that the votes

should be counted and announced. A ban attached to the District budget

had kept everything on hold. The American Civil Liberties Union sued

for release of the results.



The appropriations bill for the fiscal year beginning October 1

approved by Congress contains a provision sponsors say would allow the

vote tally but prohibit the change in law. However, that bill faces a

veto threat from President Clinton.