Medical Marijuana 'Initiative' for New York Election: Drugwar.com

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 9, 2002

Contact: Tom Leighton 212.370.1835
www.MarijuanaReform.org

Medical Marijuana Initiative for New York Election

New York State: Today begins the statewide drive to put the issue
of medical marijuana directly before New York voters on election day. The
Marijuana Reform Party of New York (MRP), and its candidate for Governor,
Thomas K. Leighton, will be petitioning registered voters throughout the
summer to qualify for a place on the ballot.

Since 1996, nine states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii,
Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington) have implemented laws allowing
seriously ill patients to possess and use medical marijuana under a
doctor's supervision. Except for Hawaii, all these laws have been enacted
by voters through ballot initiatives.

Without the possibility for initiatives here in New York, the MRP hopes
instead to translate support from the people into action from the
Legislature and Senate, in the traditional role of the New York's
multi-party political system. In 2002, a vote for the Marijuana Reform
Party is a vote for medical marijuana.

"We support new legislation that would establish a comprehensive medical
marijuana program that would be overseen by physicians," says Mr. Leighton.

In addition to medical marijuana, Leighton will also campaign for a full
repeal of the unjust Rockefeller-era drug laws.
To date, the MRP has received over 150,000 votes for candidates in New York
in three separate elections

Leighton says the MRP feels their approach is best for New York because
"Drug policy reform is a viable issue in New York, but it is log-jammed in
our heavily partisan state legislature. The thing that has been missing is
a significant number of voters telling their elected officials it is time
for a change. When it comes to delicate issues like marijuana, people who
are afraid to voice their opinion openly will often do so in the privacy of
the voting booth. With its focus on mobilizing voters statewide, the MRP
could prove to be the key that breaks things wide open. "