U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Medical-Marijuana Case March 27, 2001
News Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments on relaxing federal anti-drug laws to allow the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, the Associated Press reported March 26."Once the justices recognize what's really at stake in this case, if any semblance of justice prevails then so will we," said Robert Raich, an attorney representing the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative.
The U.S. government sued the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative and five other California marijuana clubs in 1998 to prevent them from distributing the drug. In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 215, which allows the possession and use of marijuana for medical purposes on a doctor's recommendation.
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer and other state officials contend that the state has the authority to enforce its medica-marijuana law.
The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that "medical necessity" is a legal defense. The Supreme Court will determine whether medical necessity may be used as a defense against federal drug bans.
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