A federal appeals court says seriously ill patients may have a right to use marijuana despite federal narcotics laws. The court ruled a federal judge should rethink his order that granted a Clinton administration request to shut down marijuana clubs in California. The court says the judge didn't give enough consideration to the possibility that the drug is an indispensable treatment for people served by the clubs. This ruling doesn't vacate the injunction, but it suggests the judge amend it to allow the clubs to resume serving patients who can prove they have a medical need.
March 07, 2006
Law (Marijuana as Treatment)
A federal appeals court says seriously ill patients may have a right to use marijuana despite federal narcotics laws. The court ruled a federal judge should rethink his order that granted a Clinton administration request to shut down marijuana clubs in California. The court says the judge didn't give enough consideration to the possibility that the drug is an indispensable treatment for people served by the clubs. This ruling doesn't vacate the injunction, but it suggests the judge amend it to allow the clubs to resume serving patients who can prove they have a medical need.
