Supreme Court Rejects Anti-Marijuana Case

[Spazito]

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an appeal that jeopardized state medical marijuana laws that allow ill patients to smoke pot if they get a doctor's recommendation.



Justices turned down the Bush administration's request to consider whether the federal government can punish doctors for recommending or perhaps even talking about the benefits of the drug to sick patients. An appeals court said they cannot.


Nine states have laws legalizing marijuana for patients with physician recommendations or prescriptions: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, and 35 states have passed legislation recognizing marijuana's medicinal value. But federal law bans the use of pot under any circumstances.

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"It's taking the culture war issue of the moment and using it in a way that could undermine the First Amendment, medical profession, and patients' well-being," said Graham Boyd, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney representing patients, doctors, and other groups.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=558&e=9&u=/ap/scotus_marijuana_doctors

[Drifter]

1. Once again ...

standing in the way of progress.

Thanks AWOL.

Cheers
Drifter

[Khephra]

2. WOW...the Supreme Court did something right again???

My heart just stopped beating.

[arcane1]

3. sigh, read this sentence, absorb it...

grokk it in fullness:

"Justices turned down the Bush administration's request to consider whether the federal government can punish doctors for recommending or perhaps even talking about the benefits of the drug to sick patients."

this is how fucking evil these people are. Punishing Doctors for giving or discussing drugs with sick people...


the sick people are in the WH


and the supremes were wise to avoid this one...

ps- whatever happened to STATES RIGHTS????? :wtf:

[BadGimp]

4. bong hit for the room ;-o

[SlavesandBulldozers]

5. State's Rights

once again Ashcroft is looking out for state's rights. He's so in touch with the electorate.

[papau]

6. Court's refusal to intervene in 9th U.S. Cir Appeal means MD's still

not help the patient obtain the drug. They can only give written or oral recommendations on marijuana to patients with cancer, HIV and other serious illnesses. A State law to provide is still needed.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAZTQ44SLD.html

Supreme Court Rejects Bush Administration Appeal Over Medical Marijuana By Gina Holland Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court cleared the way Tuesday for state laws allowing ill patients to smoke marijuana if a doctor recommends it. Justices turned down the Bush administration's request to consider whether the federal government can punish doctors for recommending or perhaps just talking about the benefits of the drug to sick patients. An appeals court said the government cannot.

Nine states have laws legalizing marijuana for people with physician recommendations or prescriptions: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. And 35 states have passed legislation recognizing marijuana's medicinal value.

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