cannabisnews.com: Calif. Clinic's Marijuana Distribution Barred Calif. Clinic's Marijuana Distribution Barred Posted by FoM on August 29, 2000 at 21:24:25 PT By Rene Sanchez, Washington Post Staff Writer Source: Washington Post The U.S. Supreme Court today barred a California clinic from distributing marijuana to patients for medicinal purposes, throwing into turmoil the state's groundbreaking law that allows the practice. Acting on an emergency request from the Clinton administration, the court voted 7 to 1 to prohibit the operations of an Oakland cannabis club that is at the center of a four-year legal battle between the federal and state governments. But the court's decision neither overturns the medicinal marijuana initiative that California voters approved in 1996 nor effectively ends distribution of the drug to patients around the state. That main issue of Proposition 215's legality is still before a federal appeals court. And because of the uncertain situation – the federal government insists marijuana distribution to people with cancer, AIDS and other diseases is illegal – local governments around California continue to allow patients either to grow marijuana on their own or use it with the blessing of health departments. A few other cannabis clubs operate with local support; others have gone underground for the time being.The Justice Department sought the Supreme Court's help after a federal court this summer allowed the Oakland club to keep distributing marijuana to patients with a doctor's prescription, until the legal case is resolved.Federal lawyers had argued that the ruling set a dangerous precedent and provided a justification for illegal drug trafficking.Five other states have approved the use of medicinal marijuana. The issue will be on the ballot in two others, Nevada and Colorado, in November.Advocates for using marijuana medicinally expressed concern that today's decision signaled that the Supreme Court may eventually strike down California's law. But for now they said it would not have significant implications for most patients around the state who are using the drug."The clubs are only part of this – there are other ways that local governments are giving it their tacit approval and helping patients," said Gina Pesulima, a spokeswoman for Americans for Medical Rights, a group that led the campaign for the California law and similar ones around the country."This is a small bump in the road. The important issues in this case will be decided later," said Robert Raich, lawyer for Oakland cannabis club. "It is a travesty that the Clinton-Gore administration is trying so vigorously to keep the only medicine that works away from patients who so desperately need it."By Rene Sanchez, Washington Post Staff WriterWednesday, August 30, 2000; Page A06Source: Washington Post (DC)Copyright: 2000 The Washington Post CompanyContact: letterstoed washpost.comAddress: 1150 15th Street NorthwestWashington, DC 20071Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/Feedback: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/edit/letters/letterform.htmRelated Articles & Web Sites:Oakland Cannabis Buyer's Cooperativehttp://www.rxcbc.org/Medical Marijuana Decision a Death Sentencehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6871.shtmlSupreme Court Bars Distribution of Med. Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6868.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives:http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by kaptinemo on August 30, 2000 at 06:10:00 PT: FOIA time I'd very much like to see the phone records of all thoise supposed 'concerned citizen' groups like PFDFA, and check the times calls were made between them, their financial backers in the pharmaceutical companies, distilleries, brewries... and Barry's office.And then check the times that calls were received by the Supremes. And *then* check the times calls were made to any Congresscritters and Senators.I got a sneaky suspicion that you'll find the timing of the calls predate those of the White House to Judge O'Connor. In other words, 4D, the people who have the most to loose got off their duffs and screamed in the ears of their PFDFA catspaws, who screamed at Barry, who in turn screamed at Justice O'Connors' office. Just follow the money. Always follow the money.The whole time the antis are grandstanding, sick people suffer and spend their last days in agony. Damn their s**t-mucked souls to Hell. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by dddd on August 30, 2000 at 04:17:35 PT Who are these people? "Acting on an emergency request from the Clinton administration,..." An emergency request??What makes this an "emergency,and why?...Who could we ask?"The Justice Department sought the Supreme Court's help after a federal court this summer allowed the Oaklandclub to keep distributing marijuana to patients with a doctor's prescription, until the legal case is resolved." Why should the government seek to pursue this so vigorously,and anonamously?....Was there some sort of public outcry that we dont know about?Were concerned citizens writing letters to their represenatives demanding immediate action?? .......dddd [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: