Appeals court upholds medical marijuana use

[TrogL]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001817082_pot17m0.html

Yesterday, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a victory for states' rights, ruled unconstitutional federal prosecutions of medical marijuana patients in states that have approved laws allowing such use of the drug.

If patients are authorized by a doctor under state laws, and aren't transporting marijuana across state lines or selling it, their growing, possession or use of marijuana is not "drug trafficking," Judge Harry Pregerson wrote for the majority.

His ruling sends the case back to the California district judge who declined to protect two patients from federal prosecution.

[VT70]

1. This is excellent

A victory for the most vulnerable in our society.

[snooper2]

2. Sorry, I couldn't resist...

http://www.granitestaters.com/guide/lieberman.html

"Name: Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT)

In short: Lieberman cosponsored a 1998 U.S. Senate resolution condemning state efforts to legalize medical use of marijuana. However, Lieberman seems to have evolved on the issue recently, voicing support for a "humane and sensible approach" to medical marijuana patients.

What Lieberman has done: In 1998, Lieberman cosponsored S.J.Res. 56, opposing efforts to legalize marijuana or other Schedule I drugs for medical use. The resolution condemned "efforts to circumvent" the Food and Drug Administration's drug-approval process via state medical marijuana laws, and it contained language suggesting that medical marijuana laws add to "ambiguous cultural messages about marijuana use are contributing to a growing acceptance of marijuana use among children and teenagers." Lieberman is the only senator now running for president who cosponsored this resolution, which never received a floor vote. He has not voted on other legislation specifically addressing medical marijuana.*"

(This is a little better)
"When Macia asked Lieberman a follow up question about whether he would stop the DEA's raids on medical marijuana patients, he said, "I've checked this and found that they're not numerous. There's been something like thirteen in the last couple of years. There were a couple under President Clinton. They've gone up in number under President Bush and Attorney General Ashcroft. I give you this answer: You've got to see what the particular case is. You always want to enforce the law, obviously. But, you know, in the priorities of what I would ask my drug enforcement agency to do, cracking down on sick people using marijuana for medical purposes under the supervision of a doctor -- No. That would not be a priority.""

"What Lieberman's statements mean: Lieberman markedly improved his medical marijuana position recently. While Lieberman did not expressly say he would stop raiding sick patients, his statement reflects a major step in the right direction."

[thebigidea]

3. good lord! that's the first pro-Lieberman sig I've ever seen on DU!

[snooper2]

4. My boy Dean

Got a C as well on this issue FYI :) :hi:

[plcdude]

5. I wonder what Rush

will say about this. He is always putting down this court as liberal and most overturned.

[indepat]

6. Wow! Did someone just shoot a rocket up someone's a**hole. Alas,

Scalia and his ilk will most likely reverse this decision.

[TrogL]

7. Depends how much pain they're in

Some people can't tolerate NSAID's and don't want to be groggy on codeine.