OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee have filed a petition with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration asking the agency to reclassify marijuana so that doctors can prescribe it and pharmacists can fill the prescription.



The governors said Wednesday they want the federal government to list marijuana as a "Schedule 2" drug, allowing it to be used for medical treatment. Marijuana is currently classified a "Schedule 1" drug, meaning it's not accepted medical use for treatment in the United States and can't be prescribed, administered or dispensed for medical use, according to the DEA.



Washington voters approved a medical marijuana law in 1998. That law gives doctors the right to recommend -- but not prescribe -- marijuana for people suffering from cancer and other conditions that cause "intractable pain."



Earlier this year, Gregoire vetoed most of a bill that made major reforms to the state's medical marijuana law, saying state workers could be prosecuted under federal law the way the measure was written.



The legislation was passed to set clearer regulations on medical marijuana use and to establish a licensing system and patient registry to protect qualifying patients, doctors and providers from criminal liability. Gregoire vetoed provisions of the bill that would have licensed and regulated medical marijuana dispensaries and producers. She also nixed a provision for a patient registry under the Department of Health.



The Associated Press







