cannabisnews.com: For Alaska, Marijuana Situation Status Quo For Alaska, Marijuana Situation Status Quo Posted by CN Staff on June 07, 2005 at 11:31:57 PT By Nicole Tsong, Anchorage Daily News Source: Anchorage Daily News Alaska -- Sick Alaskans who have been allowed to use marijuana under doctors' orders could face federal prosecution under a U.S. Supreme Court decision issued Monday, according to federal authorities. The Supreme Court ruled that federal authorities may prosecute people using marijuana for medical purposes even if state laws allow such use. However, federal officials that oversee Alaska said Monday the ruling is unlikely to result in a rash of prosecutions here.Eric Gonzalez, spokesman for Alaska's FBI, said he couldn't recall a federal prosecution of a medical marijuana patient in Alaska. "We typically target large-scale organizations," he said. This case "will have no impact on what the FBI is doing here in Anchorage, in Alaska."Alaskans legalized marijuana for medical use in a 1998 ballot initiative. But all marijuana possession remains against federal law.The state has 198 currently registered medical users and a total of 570 since the law was passed, according to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics.Registered user Jim Welch of Eagle River said he is worried that the decision could be used by Gov. Frank Murkowski to push an anti-marijuana agenda. Murkowski has proposed to increase penalties for marijuana possession and use at home.Although directed at a challenged law in California, Monday's ruling likely applies to Alaska, state and federal officials said. In addition to medical use, adult Alaskans are allowed to possess up to four ounces of pot for personal use in their homes. State courts reaffirmed that right last year, citing the state constitution's privacy clause. Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/quo.htmSource: Anchorage Daily News (AK)Author: Nicole Tsong, Anchorage Daily NewsPublished: June 7th, 2005 Copyright: 2005 The Anchorage Daily News Contact: letters adn.com Website: http://www.adn.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Angel Raich v. Ashcroft Newshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/raich.htm AG May Suspend MMJ Registration in Alaskahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20797.shtmlMarijuana Patients Remain Defianthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20790.shtmlPot Bill is Out of Time http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20650.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by AOLBites on June 07, 2005 at 12:02:41 PT good quote -=snip=-"Those cowardly politicians hide behind bottling it up in committee every session, and patients never get a chance for their story to be heard," Storck said. "It's time for the cowards in Washington to wake up and do something to protect sick people instead of all this anti-drug posturing."Stock said he's simply seeking compassionate access for people who have exhausted all legal treatment.-=snip=- [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by AOLBites on June 07, 2005 at 11:58:24 PT Officials: 'Don't Panic' Officials: 'Don't Panic' Over Medical Marijuana Ruling Supreme Court Decision May Not Change Muchhttp://www.wftv.com/news/4578271/detail.htmlPOSTED: 9:49 am EDT June 7, 2005 UPDATED: 12:54 pm EDT June 7, 2005Despite Monday's Supreme Court ruling, people apparently can still get medical marijuana with a doctor's prescription in 10 states. And nobody in law enforcement appears eager to make headlines by arresting ailing patients.California Attorney General Bill Lockyer said that "people shouldn't panic."The nation's highest court ruled 6-3 that people who smoke marijuana because their doctors recommend it to ease pain can be prosecuted for violating federal drug laws. Survey: Agree With Ruling? Discussion: Should Federal Or State Law Prevail? Document: Ashcroft V. Raich The ruling does not strike down medical marijuana laws in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont or Washington state. In many places over the past years, local authorities have shown no interest in arresting people who smoke pot for medical reasons.It remains to be seen whether the federal Drug Enforcement Administration is planning a crackdown. The Justice Department isn't commenting.-=snip=-Do you agree with the Supreme Court's ruling to outlaw the use of medical marijuana? Choice Votes Percentage of 18616 Votes Yes 3336 18% No 14595 78% Unsure 685 4%WFTV.com Video-Marijuana Patients Angry Medicine Taken Away-Supreme Court Snuffs Out Medical MarijuanaPrevious Stories: * June 6, 2005: High Court Rules Against Medical Marijuana Users http://www.wftv.com/health/4573173/detail.html sponsor story and poll [ Post Comment ] Post Comment