House opposes medical use of marijuana

WASHINGTON — The House voted Wednesday to let the federal government continue prosecuting people who use marijuana for medical reasons in states where local law allows its use by patients.

The 268-148 vote turned aside an amendment by Democrats and some conservative Republicans that would have barred the federal government from preventing states from implementing their own medical marijuana laws. Nine states have passed laws allowing people to use marijuana if recommended by a doctor, including Oregon and Washington.

“It won’t encourage the use of marijuana,” Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif., one of the sponsors, said of the amendment.

Supporters of the federal restrictions said that constitutionally, federal statutes must override state laws. They also argued that medical marijuana laws only encourage the abuse of marijuana and other drugs.