Bush Conflicted on Pot Legalization

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By Ann Compton and Brian Hartman
Source: ABCNews

With the Supreme Court considering the medical marijuana issue, the White House is conflicted. President Bush supports both strong federal criminalization of the drug, and the right of states to legalize it.
As the Supreme Court considers whether to legalize marijuana, President Bush appears to be of two minds on the issue. He's against it, yet during the campaign he acknowledged he supports a state's right to decide the legality for its citizens.

"I believe each state can choose that decision as they so choose," Bush said in the fall of 1999.

At the time, marijuana supporters praised Bush.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer confirmed today that the president's position has not changed.

"The president is opposed to the legalization of marijuana, including for medicinal purposes, and he strongly supports the current federal law that's in place," Fleischer said today.

Marijuana is listed as a Schedule 1 narcotic under the federal Controlled Substances Act. According to the DEA, "Schedule 1 is reserved for the most dangerous drugs that have no recognized medical use."

States' Rights Issue:

But while the president supports the federal law that's in place, Fleischer said, he also thinks states should have the right to make the drug legal.

"The president's position is always on state referenda on things like that. That is a process question where the states have the right to follow their own processes," Fleischer told reporters at the White House. "But, as the president said, and as you know - it was discussed by campaign spokespeople with you directly during the campaign - the president opposes it; he supports federal law."

The Office of National Drug Control Policy considers marijuana the "most prevalent illegal drug in the United States."

ABCNews' Ann Compton and Brian Hartman contributed to this report.

Source: ABC News
Author: Ann Compton and Brian Hartman
Published: March 28, 2001
Copyright: 2001 ABC News Internet Ventures
Website: http://www.abcnews.go.com/
Contact: http://www.abcnews.go.com/service/help/abccontact.html

Related Articles & Web Sites:

Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Co-op: http://www.rxcbc.org/

USA V. OCBC & Jeffrey Jones: http://www.druglibrary.org/ocbc/

[Cen]

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