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Medical Marijuana

Medical Marijuana refers to the use of the drug cannabis as a physician-recommended herbal therapy, most notably as an antiemetic. The term medical marijuana post-dates the U.S. Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, the effect of which made cannabis prescriptions illegal in the United States. Twelve states have legalized Medical Marijuana use which conflicts with federal laws. This has caused federal agents, namely the DEA, to raid businesses that offer Medical Marijuana and arrest Medical Marijuana patients.

Joseph Biden on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	End the federal raids but feels there are better alternatives to medical marijuana.
Description:	Sen. Biden has publicly promised to end the federal raids on state medical marijuana programs. He also has said "But you know that one of the things we have got to deal with is the issue of pain management. I spent a lot of time in the hospital, fortunately I wasn't, for most of the time, in serious pain. But, you know, lying there for 59 days in an ICU unit you see people and hear people in pain. We have not devoted nearly enough science or time to deal with the pain management and chronic pain management that exists. There's got to be a better answer than marijuana. There's got to be a better answer than that. There's got to be a better way for a humane society to figure out how to deal with that problem."
Citations:

1.	Joe Biden on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) His stance and quotes on mm.

Michael Bloomberg on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports
Description:	Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of New York, has been featured in an advertising campaign promoting the legalization of marijuana. The ads carry a quote from Bloomberg, who, asked if he had ever smoked marijuana, said: "You bet I did. And I enjoyed it."
Citations:

1.	Medical Marijuana Causes Cancer (8/15/07) talks about Bloomberg's ad for medical marijuana.

Sam Brownback on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Continue federal raids
Description:	Brownback has publicly stated that he would continue federal raiding and arresting people who use medical marijuana regardless of state laws.
Citations:

1.	Sam Brownback on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) This is brownback's stance on mm.

Hillary Clinton on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	End federal raids
Description:	During a Manchester campaign on July 13, Len Epstein, a volunteer for Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana (GSMM), told Sen. Clinton, "Twelve states allow medical marijuana, but the Bush administration continues to raid patients," to which she responded, "Yes, I know. It's terrible." Epstein then asked, "Would you stop the federal raids?" Sen. Clinton responded, "Yes, I will."
Citations:

1.	Hillary Clinton Pledges to End Medical Marijuana Raids (7/23/07) Hillary's pledge to end raids for mm patients.
2.	Clinton Promises to End Federal Raids on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries (7/23/07) Clinton's quotes on federal raids.

Christopher Dodd on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Should be decided by the state. Stop federal raids.
Description:	Sen. Dodd has publicly promised to end the federal raids on state medical marijuana programs. He also voted against an amendment in the U.S. Senate that was intended to undermine state medical marijuana laws. He also said that he did not want to ban state medical marijuana programs and "I want to leave states to decide what the right thing is to do on this."
Citations:

1.	Dodd on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) Dodd on mm.

John Edwards on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Previously supported federal raids, but now opposes them.
Description:	In 2007, Sen. Edwards stated publicly that he would end the DEA's raids on medical marijuana patients in states that have approved medical marijuana use for the seriously ill. This is a switch from his position four years ago, when he stated that it would be "irresponsible" to end the raids.
Citations:

1.	John Edwards on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) His stance on mm from a pro mm organization.
2.	Most Candidates Back Medical Marijuana Patient Protection (7/23/07) How John Edwards changed position.

Newt Gingrich on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports medical uses.
Description:	Newt wrote a letter to the Journal of the American Medical Association advocating the use of medicinal marijuana.
Citations:

1.	Newt Gingrich's Letter Supporting Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) wrote a letter supporting mm.

Rudolph Giuliani on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Against
Description:	"I believe the effort to try and make marijuana available for medical uses is really a way to legalize it. There's no reason for it," the former New York mayor said during a town hall-style meeting at New Hampshire Technical Institute. He also said there are better alternatives. "You can accomplish everything you want to accomplish with things other than marijuana, probably better. There are pain medications much superior to marijuana," he said. "We'd be much better off telling people the truth. Marijuana adds nothing to the array of legal medications and prescription medications that are available for pain relief."
Citations:

1.	Giuliani Rejects Medical Marijuana Use (7/23/07) Giuliani speaking out against medical marijuana
2.	Giuliani Rejects Medical Marijuana Use (7/23/07) Same as before kind of

Al Gore on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Against medical marijuana.
Description:	In a school visit, Al Gore said "Right now, the science does not show me, or the experts whose judgment I trust, that it is the proper medication for pain and that there are not better alternatives available in every situation."
Citations:

1.	Science doesn't say medical marijuana is proper (7/23/07) A link to some quotes with citations by Al Gore

Mike Gravel on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Legalize it
Description:	Gravel would legalize marijuana for general use as well as medical use.
Citations:

1.	Most candidates support medical marijuana (7/23/07) he wants to legalize it.
2.	Most marijuana-friendly candidates: Ron Paul, Mike Gravel (7/23/07) He wants to legalize it along with ron paul
3.	Mike Gravel Interview (7/23/07) An interview where he says "legalize it"

Mike Huckabee on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Continue federal raids
Description:	Huckabee has stated publicly that he does not support ending the federal raids on state medical marijuana programs.
Citations:

1.	Mike Huckabee on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) His votes and stances on mm.
2.	Most Candidates Back Medical Marijuana Patient Protection (7/23/07) Huckabee's stance on medical marijuana.

Duncan Hunter on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Against medical marijuana. Would have medical marijuana users arrested if elected.
Description:	Rep. Hunter has stated clearly that if elected he would to have Californians raided and arrested by DEA agents for using medical marijuana legally under California state law. He has also consistently voted in opposition to legislation that would have protected medical marijuana patients and caregivers participating in medical marijuana programs.
Citations:

1.	Duncan Hunter on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) How much he hates mm.
2.	Most Candidates Back Medical Marijuana Patient Protection (7/23/07) Talks about Hunter and his stance on mm.

Dennis Kucinich on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Support medical marijuana and ending federal raids
Description:	"Our drug policy must be based on a rational examination of scientific evidence. Two main goals of a compassionate health care system are the treatment of disease and the alleviation of patient suffering. A growing body of evidence suggests that marijuana has vast potential in both of these areas. Therefore, the current policy of categorically rejecting marijuana as a legitimate medical treatment directly opposes these goals. I support issuing an executive order allowing marijuana for medical purposes, effectively ending DEA raids on medical marijuana patients and their providers. Disease sufferers should not have to turn to dangerous black markets to obtain this beneficial drug. Instead, doctors should be free to prescribe marijuana and marijuana-based medicines to their patients as needed to treat illness and manage pain. This will be an important step toward joining our friends in the UK, Spain, Germany, and Portugal in moving away from criminally-enforced prohibitions that divert resources from domestic projects and distract law enforcement officials from critical national security issues." - Dennis Kucinich
Citations:

1.	Medical Marijuana by Dennis Kucinich (7/23/07) Kucinich talks about his thoughts on mm and its benefits.
2.	Conditions Favorable for Federal Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) Kucinich support of federal mm bills.
3.	Dennis J. Kucinich On: The Supreme Court Ruling on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) A statement he gave about mm.
4.	Kucinich on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) How he votes and how he feels about mm.

John McCain on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Let the states decide.
Description:	Sen. McCain has stated publicly that he would protect states' rights in regard to medical marijuana, but he has yet to publicly confirm that he would end the DEA raids medical marijuana patients if elected.
Citations:

1.	John McCain on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) John McCain's position on mm.
2.	Most Candidates Back Medical Marijuana Patient Protection (7/23/07) what most candidates feel about mm

Barack Obama on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Raiding medical marijuana users not top priority, do not undermine state medical marijuana laws
Description:	Sen. Obama has said he does not think raiding medical marijuana patients should be a priority for the Justice Department. He has yet to confirm that, if elected, he would end the federal raids on patients and their caregivers. However, Sen. Obama voted against an amendment in the U.S. Senate that was intended to undermine state medical marijuana laws.
Citations:

1.	Barack Obama on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) Talks about his stance on medical marijuana
2.	Senator Barack Obama on Medical Marijuana--Aug. 21, 2007 (10/4/07) Obama answering a question about federal raids on medical marijuana patients.
3.	Barack Obama "I inhaled frequently" "That was the point" (10/4/07) Obama claiming he smoke marijuana when he was younger.

Ron Paul on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Legalize It
Description:	Ron Paul supports the legalization of marijuana, for general as well as medicinal use.
Citations:

1.	Ron Paul on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) How he votes on marijuana legislation.
2.	Most marijuana-friendly candidates: Ron Paul, Mike Gravel (7/23/07) How ron paul supports legalizing it
3.	Ron Paul Interview Part 1 (7/23/07) An interview of ron paul about pot (part 1)
4.	Ron Paul Interview Part 2 (7/23/07) The second part of his interview with NORML

Bill Richardson on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Signed bill to legalize medical marijuana in New Mexico.
Description:	Richardson, as governor of New Mexico, signed a bill to legalize medical marijuana.
Citations:

1.	Richardson to legalize medical marijuana (7/23/07) Talks about his risks signed the mm bill as governor
2.	Richardson Signs Marijuana Bill (7/23/07) Talks about Richardson and his signed of the mm bill.
3.	Gov. Richardson stands behind medical pot bill (10/4/07) This article details the effort that Governor Bill Richardson has taken to create a state medical marijuana program.
4.	Governor Bill Richardson on Medical Marijuana--Sept. 2, 2007 (10/4/07) Governor Bill Richardson discusses his experience with creating a medical marijuana program in New Mexico.

Mitt Romney on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Not taken a public opinion
Description:	Romney never publicly taken a positive position on medical marijuana, although he has promised to look into the issue further and eventually take a position.
Citations:

1.	Mitt Romney on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) He doesnt know how he feels.

Tom Tancredo on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	End federal raids
Description:	Tancredo has consistently voted in favor of legislation to end the DEA's raids on medical marijuana patients.
Citations:

1.	Tom Tancredo on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) Tancredo on medical marijuana
2.	Federalism up in Smoke (7/23/07) Talks about how Tancredo voted against DEA raids.

Tommy Thompson on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	End federal raids
Description:	Thompson has stated publicly, on multiple occasions, that he would end the federal raids on state medical marijuana patients and their caregivers if elected president.
Citations:

1.	Tommy Thompson on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) His votes and his quotes on mm.
2.	Medical Cannabis Patients "should not be arrested" (7/23/07) talks about thompson's stance on mm

Fred Thompson on Medical Marijuana More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports
Description:	"Well, you've got federal drug laws. We have federal drugs laws in this country that are involved. I'll tell you what my heart says about this. I would think that surely, in the era that we live in, and things that are helping my 87-year-old momma, things that are helping so many of us, and the revolution that we have seen in terms of medicine in this country, that marijuana would not be the only thing that's going to relieve the pain and suffering for these people. That there would be other things that we could turn to first. Now if somebody can convince me that's the only thing that will keep someone from undergoing that kind of suffering, I'll have to take a new look at it, but that's the way I approach it until you educate me further." - Fred Thompson
Citations:

1.	Fred Thompson: Champion of Stoners and Crackheads (8/27/07) Discusses cases that Senator Fred Thompson worked on when he was a lawyer. These cases involve marijuana.
2.	Senator Fred Thompson on Medical Marijuana--Sept. 8, 2007 (10/3/07) Fred Thompson dodges the question.

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Medical Marijuana

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