BILL REQ. #:  S-0576.1 

     TO THE HONORABLE BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO MICHELE LEONHART, ADMINISTRATOR, UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws permitting the medical use of marijuana. However, federal law continues to classify marijuana as a drug for which there is no medical use; and
     WHEREAS, The divergence in state and federal law creates a situation where there is no regulated and safe system to supply legitimate patients who may need medical cannabis. It is clear that the long-standing classification of medical use of cannabis in the United States as an illegal Schedule I substance is fundamentally flawed and should be changed; and
     WHEREAS, Governor Chafee and Governor Gregoire recently submitted a petition to initiate rule-making proceedings for the reclassification of medical cannabis (also known as marijuana) from Schedule I to Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists write in support of Governor Chafee and Governor Gregoire's petition and respectfully pray that the Drug Enforcement Administration initiate rule-making proceedings to reclassify medical marijuana as a Schedule II drug so qualifying patients who follow state law may obtain the medication they need through the traditional and safe method of physician prescribing and pharmacy dispensing.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, Michele Leonhart, Administrator of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.