cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Medical Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on November 04, 2002 at 09:35:45 PT Press Democrat Editorial Source: Press Democrat Six years ago, state voters agreed that people who are suffering from cancer, AIDS and other life-threatening diseases should be allowed the relief provided by marijuana. But rules governing medical marijuana remain, well, a hash. Blame the failure of the state Legislature to provide clear guidelines, and the federal government's determination to thwart the will of the voters of California and eight other states. In an important ruling, a federal court last week told the federal government it had no right to prevent a physician from helping sick patients. Three justices of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that the government could not revoke the prescription drug licenses of doctors who recommend marijuana to patients who are suffering, nor could the Department of Justice investigate doctors who recommended marijuana. Chief Circuit Judge Mary Schroeder stated what is obvious to everyone outside the Justice Department: "An integral component of the practice of medicine is the communication between doctor and a patient. Physicians must be able to speak frankly and openly to patients."Consider the position of the federal government in this matter: Because federal law prohibits the use of marijuana and Congress will not change the law to provide for the limited use of medical marijuana, the government finds itself denying relief from pain and nausea to people who are desperately ill.One wonders if anyone in Washington ever considers the cruelty and inhumanity of this policy that refuses to distinguish between recreational drugs and medical need.Note: Court ruling honors promise to help people who are ill. Source: Press Democrat, The (CA)Published: November 4, 2002Copyright: 2002 The Press DemocratContact: letters pressdemo.comWebsite: http://www.pressdemo.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Conant vs. Walters & Judge Kozinskihttp://freedomtoexhale.com//cw.htmWhat U.S. Papers Say About Medical Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14630.shtmlPot Ruling Shields Doctorshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14620.shtml Medical Marijuana Wins a Court Victoryhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14594.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by Ethan Russo MD on November 04, 2002 at 12:00:34 PT: Another GW Blurb http://reuters.com/co_news_presentation.jhtml?type=companynews&provider=companynews&originator=REUTERS&StoryID=1671617&symbol1=GWP.L&symbol2=GWP.L [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Ethan Russo MD on November 04, 2002 at 11:57:53 PT: GW Info from Reuters http://reuters.com/co_news_presentation.jhtml?type=companynews&provider=companynews&originator=REUTERS&StoryID=1673703&symbol1=GWP.L&symbol2=GWP.L [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by canaman on November 04, 2002 at 10:11:19 PT Invest in Cures GW Pharmaceuticals shares move higher ahead of test results:GW is refusing to comment on the results ahead of the update but shares still surged, up 19.5p to 148p - a 15% spark.The rest of the story:http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_702713.html [ Post Comment ] Post Comment