cannabisnews.com: Court Will Hear Medical Pot Appeal Court Will Hear Medical Pot Appeal Posted by CN Staff on June 28, 2004 at 23:17:00 PT By Bob Egelko and Patrick Hoge, Chronicle Staff Source: San Francisco Chronicle The U.S. Supreme Court cast a cloud on the medical marijuana movement's biggest legal victory Monday when the justices agreed to hear the Bush administration's appeal of a ruling that protects marijuana patients in California from federal prosecution. The administration is challenging a decision in December by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that barred federal drug agents from interfering with the growing and use of marijuana by two women, Angel Raich of Oakland and Diane Monson of Oroville (Butte County). The court will hear the case in the term that starts in October, with a ruling due by the end of June 2005. Medical marijuana advocates had hoped the case would end without Supreme Court review. The case may represent their last chance to fend off the federal government's attack on medical marijuana in California, which followed passage of Proposition 215, the 1996 initiative that legalized medical use of the drug under state law. The court that will decide the case has consistently rejected challenges to federal drug laws. Three years ago, the justices overturned another Ninth Circuit decision that would have allowed cannabis clubs to distribute marijuana, without risking federal prosecution, to patients who could show that they needed it to prevent serious harm or death and that legal drugs were ineffective for them. Attorneys for medical marijuana advocates then pinned their hopes on the most sympathetic plaintiffs available -- individual, seriously ill patients -- and on a legal argument that the Supreme Court has favored in other contexts, the limits of Congress' power to regulate interstate commerce. Raich, 38, who uses marijuana with her doctor's approval to treat pain, nausea and seizures associated with a brain tumor and a wasting syndrome, made a fervent plea at a news conference Monday. "Medical cannabis has saved my life,'' she said, but "this case is not just about medical cannabis. It's about whether or not the federal government in this country has the right to decide who may live and who may die.'' Snipped: Complete Article: http://freedomtoexhale.com/will.htmSource: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Bob Egelko and Patrick Hoge, Chronicle Staff Writers Published: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - Page B - 1Copyright: 2004 San Francisco Chronicle Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Related Articles & Web Sites:Raich vs. Ashcroft http://www.angeljustice.org/Americans for Safe Accesshttp://www.safeaccessnow.org/Justices Will Hear Argument on Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19087.shtmlSupreme Court To Hear Challenge To Pot Ban http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19085.shtmlSupreme Court To Hear Medical Pot Case http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19083.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by E_Johnson on June 29, 2004 at 07:22:22 PT What is most amazing about this case Sick people are traditionally supposed to be weak, passive, dependent and withdrawn.Medical marijuana patients are none of that. We are strong, independent, active and engaged.I think our activism is doing a lot to help sick people everywhere even those who don't use pot.Yes okay, you had a bad diagnosis. It is definitely not the end of your life. Because look at us, we are still living and fighting. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by John Markes on June 29, 2004 at 06:45:02 PT feds screwed up... The feds argument is easily set aside. The CSA, the federal drug laws are not written to control the use of drugs and dangerous drugs. As the preface to the CSA states, it is for the purpose o preventing recreational drug use. Angel and Diane are clearly using it for medical purposes. Someone pass this on to Angel and tell her I said hello... [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by WolfgangWylde on June 29, 2004 at 05:23:21 PT Slam dunk... ...The Supremes will strike down medical pot. Bet on it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by mayan on June 29, 2004 at 04:20:02 PT Life or Death "Medical cannabis has saved my life,'' she said, but "this case is not just about medical cannabis. It's about whether or not the federal government in this country has the right to decide who may live and who may die.''Angel Raich just put it all in a nutshell. I hope the Supremes understand the impact their decision will have on people's lives. It will truly be a life or death decision affecting many folks.The way out...The Explosion of the 9/11 Truth Movement -- U.S. Media's Dirty Little Secret: http://www.newtopiamagazine.net/content/issue17/oped/911.php9/11 Prior Knowledge/Government Involvement Archive: http://www.propagandamatrix.com/archiveprior_knowledge.html [ Post Comment ] Post Comment