Pot Users Invade Barr Office
October 22, 1999
By David Pace , The Associated Press
Source: AccessAtlanta
www.accessatlanta.com/index.html
www.cannabisnews.com/news...3387.shtml
Georgia Rep. Bob Barr's effort to block medical use of marijuana in the
District of Columbia has made him the target of people who contend the
drug eases their medical problems.
Three medical marijuana users and their supporters blocked the door to the
Cobb County Republican's Washington office Thursday to protest his
attempts to block implementation of a referendum that would permit
seriously ill people in the nation's capital to use marijuana legally if
their doctors recommend it.
Capitol police arrested Jim Miller of Silverton, N.J., after he lifted his
wife, Cheryl Miller, from a wheelchair and placed her on a sleeping bag in
the doorway to Barr's office. He was charged with demonstrating within a
Capitol building, a misdemeanor.
Two other admitted medical marijuana users, Jacki Rickert of Mondovi,
Wis., and Gary Storck of Madison, Wis., joined Cheryl Miller on either
side of the door.
Another half-dozen protesters entered Barr's office and began chanting,
"Stop arresting patients," and "Bob Barr you've gone too far."
Police broke up the demonstration, arresting Jim Miller and allowing the
others to leave the Longworth House Office Building.
Cheryl Miller, 52, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1971, said
she eats marijuana in salads to relieve her pain and spasms.
Police called medical personnel from the Capitol's attending physician's
office to place her back in the wheelchair before she was taken out of the
building by supporters.
Cheryl Miller said she risked arrest by participating in the civil
disobedience because "I'm already in prison in my body. It's
deteriorating, and I can't do anything. At least the marijuana relieves my
pain."
Barr's amendment voiding the referendum was included in the District of
Columbia spending bill that President Clinton vetoed earlier this month.
Clinton said the Barr amendment would have prevented District residents
from "making their own decisions about local matters."
Barr was not in his office during the protest.
He said later that "it is truly sad to see marijuana legalization
activists using seriously ill patients as props in their campaigns to make
dangerous, mind-altering drugs legally available."
Pubdate: October 23, 1999
1999 Cox Interactive Media
Related Articles & Websites:
Gary Storck
Drug Policy Forum of Wisconsin:
www.drugsense.org/dpfwi/
Marijuana Policy Project:
www.mpp.org/
Cheryl Heart Foundation:
www.cherylheart.org/
MMJ Use Advocates Stage Protest at Barr's Office - 10/21/99
www.cannabisnews.com/news...3365.shtml
Jim Busted, Cheryl Put Back in Chair! - 10/21/99
www.cannabisnews.com/news...3364.shtml
October 22, 1999
By David Pace , The Associated Press
Source: AccessAtlanta
www.accessatlanta.com/index.html
www.cannabisnews.com/news...3387.shtml
Georgia Rep. Bob Barr's effort to block medical use of marijuana in the
District of Columbia has made him the target of people who contend the
drug eases their medical problems.
Three medical marijuana users and their supporters blocked the door to the
Cobb County Republican's Washington office Thursday to protest his
attempts to block implementation of a referendum that would permit
seriously ill people in the nation's capital to use marijuana legally if
their doctors recommend it.
Capitol police arrested Jim Miller of Silverton, N.J., after he lifted his
wife, Cheryl Miller, from a wheelchair and placed her on a sleeping bag in
the doorway to Barr's office. He was charged with demonstrating within a
Capitol building, a misdemeanor.
Two other admitted medical marijuana users, Jacki Rickert of Mondovi,
Wis., and Gary Storck of Madison, Wis., joined Cheryl Miller on either
side of the door.
Another half-dozen protesters entered Barr's office and began chanting,
"Stop arresting patients," and "Bob Barr you've gone too far."
Police broke up the demonstration, arresting Jim Miller and allowing the
others to leave the Longworth House Office Building.
Cheryl Miller, 52, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1971, said
she eats marijuana in salads to relieve her pain and spasms.
Police called medical personnel from the Capitol's attending physician's
office to place her back in the wheelchair before she was taken out of the
building by supporters.
Cheryl Miller said she risked arrest by participating in the civil
disobedience because "I'm already in prison in my body. It's
deteriorating, and I can't do anything. At least the marijuana relieves my
pain."
Barr's amendment voiding the referendum was included in the District of
Columbia spending bill that President Clinton vetoed earlier this month.
Clinton said the Barr amendment would have prevented District residents
from "making their own decisions about local matters."
Barr was not in his office during the protest.
He said later that "it is truly sad to see marijuana legalization
activists using seriously ill patients as props in their campaigns to make
dangerous, mind-altering drugs legally available."
Pubdate: October 23, 1999
1999 Cox Interactive Media
Related Articles & Websites:
Gary Storck
Drug Policy Forum of Wisconsin:
www.drugsense.org/dpfwi/
Marijuana Policy Project:
www.mpp.org/
Cheryl Heart Foundation:
www.cherylheart.org/
MMJ Use Advocates Stage Protest at Barr's Office - 10/21/99
www.cannabisnews.com/news...3365.shtml
Jim Busted, Cheryl Put Back in Chair! - 10/21/99
www.cannabisnews.com/news...3364.shtml
