It may be just a tokin er, token vote, but delegates to the Arlington County Civic Federation on Jan. 3 nearly unanimously approved a resolution calling on the General Assembly to consider authorizing the use of marijuana for a broader range of medical uses.
The lopsided 50-1 vote came a month after delegates rebuffed a broader proposal that called for decriminalization for all uses of cannabis.
The revisions, which had been made by the federations legislative committee, represented a big improvement, said delegate Pete Olivere, one of those who had opposed the original proposal.
We gave guidance to what needed to be changed, and they changed it, added delegate Martha Moore. Its ready to go.
The lone no vote of the night came from federation delegate Bernie Berne. There is nothing that shows that medical marijuana is safe or effective, Berne said in holding his ground against overwhelming firepower in debate on the matter.
While Berne was the lone vote against, delegate Bill Braswell expressed concern that support for the measure might cost the community yet more credibility at the General Assembly, and could harm the countys ability to win support for more pressing matters in a legislature where Democrats are outnumbered and the mere mention of Arlington sometimes seems to raise the ire of GOP lawmakers.
It may imperil some of the other serious issues, Braswell said. Others impishly noted that Arlingtons reputation in Richmond was not likely to sink much lower at this point.
The pro-marijuana resolution was initiated by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, which joined the Civic Federation last year.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Arlington Civic Federation Gives Thumbs Up To Medical Marijuana
Author: Scott McCaffrey
Contact: 703-771-8800
Photo Credit: NIDA
Website: Inside Nova
