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The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Rep. Jim McDermott Wants to Legalize Marijuana

News   April 22, 2009 at 5:36 pm Chris Kissel

The Hill reports this week that Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA,7) is among a small and idiosyncratic group of Congressmembers, including Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX, 14) and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA,46), openly advocating the legalization of marijuana.

“Clearly, people all over the country are using marijuana. We have filled our prisons at enormous costs…and we have no money for education,” McDermott said in the article.

McDermott’s office hasn’t gotten back to me yet on whether McDermott is planning on introducing or co-sponsoring legislation in the near future, but the safe bet is the answer’s no. Not only would Rep. McDermott have to convince President Obama, but he’s also have to convince most of Congress, including the Washington State delegation.

Project Vote Smart ranks legislators’ stances on marijuana according to their voting records. Rep. McDermott scored a 30, the highest score a legislator could earn, beating the rest of the Washington delegation that was in office for all the tallied votes–Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA,4) scored a -30, the lowest score, Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA,6) scored a 0, and Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA,9) scored 10. The rest of the delegation’s votes on select legislation are examined here.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) has said in the past that she does not support marijuana legalization.


  • countrygirl

    The first thing to do is to stop federal funding for prosecutions and enforcement. They don’t fund welfare fraud prosecutions, that’s why you see so few cases taken by the local prosecutors.

    And stop funding federal anti-marijuana propaganda. Nearly every “fact” on the DEA’s website about the medicinal use of cannabis has been thoroughly debunked.

    Take away the that federal funding and put the money to use with legitimate health studies; then use the promote research-backed arguments about the benefits of cannabis, both medicinally and economically (such as industrial uses for hemp).

  • countrygirl

    The first thing to do is to stop federal funding for prosecutions and enforcement. They don’t fund welfare fraud prosecutions, that’s why you see so few cases taken by the local prosecutors.

    And stop funding federal anti-marijuana propaganda. Nearly every “fact” on the DEA’s website about the medicinal use of cannabis has been thoroughly debunked.

    Take away the that federal funding and put the money to use with legitimate health studies; then use the promote research-backed arguments about the benefits of cannabis, both medicinally and economically (such as industrial uses for hemp).

  • MarkS

    Always knew McDermott was a bit stoned.

  • MarkS

    Always knew McDermott was a bit stoned.