News
U.S. Supreme Court Rules Against Use of Medical Marijuana
Mon, Jun 06, 2005 11:03 am
source: Bloomberg
June 6 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a blow to the medical marijuana movement, ruling that federal narcotics laws ban the drug even when it never crosses state lines and is used only to relieve pain or nausea.
The justices, siding with the Bush administration, today said Congress's power over interstate commerce is broad enough to cover locally grown and used medical marijuana. The 6-3 ruling overturns a decision that favored two California women, including one who says cannabis relieves life-threatening symptoms.
The majority said California marijuana users Angel McClary Raich and Diane Monson must turn to ``the democratic process'' for a change in the law. ``The voices of voters allied with these respondents may one day be heard in the halls of Congress,'' Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for the court in Washington.
California and nine other states exempt seriously ill people from laws banning cultivation and use of marijuana. Today's ruling means people in those states will face the risk of federal prosecution if they use or distribute marijuana.
The Bush administration said the lower court ruling would undermine its efforts to enforce anti-drug laws.
The case brought into tension two themes of the court under Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist: the limits it has imposed on the federal government and the latitude it has afforded law enforcement officers. Those issues produced an unusual breakdown among the nine justices.
A Divided Court
Joining Stevens's majority decision were Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, David H. Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote separately to say he agreed with the result, though not the majority's reasoning.
Rehnquist and Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Clarence Thomas dissented. Those three, along with Scalia and Kennedy, formed 5-4 majorities in a series of previous cases that limited the power of Congress.
``If Congress can regulate this under the Commerce Clause, then it can regulate virtually anything -- and the federal government is no longer one of limited and enumerated powers,'' Thomas wrote.
Stevens, in his opinion for the court, said locally grown and used marijuana might affect the national market.
``That the national and international narcotics trade has thrived in the face of vigorous criminal enforcement efforts suggests that no small number of unscrupulous people will make use of the California exemptions to serve their commercial ends whenever it is feasible to do so,'' he wrote.
Previous Setback
It's the second time in four years the high court has ruled against medical marijuana advocates in a fight with the federal government. In 2001 the court said the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, which bans marijuana and other drugs except for use in government-approved research projects, doesn't contain a ``medical necessity'' exception.
Raich and Monson, both Northern California residents, say all other medicines either failed to treat their symptoms or caused intolerable side effects.
Raich, 39, and her doctor say she might starve to death without marijuana. She suffers a number of conditions, including an inoperable brain tumor and a life-threatening wasting syndrome.
Raich uses marijuana given to her by two unidentified caregivers who grow it. Monson, 47, who suffers from chronic back pain and muscle spasms caused by a spinal disease, grows her own marijuana.
Federal drug agents raided Monson's home in 2002. She, Raich and the two caregivers then sued to stop federal officials from enforcing the Controlled Substances Act against them.
Impact on Illegal Market
The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily barred enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act against the women and caregivers, saying their activities didn't appear to be linked to interstate commerce.
The federal government lists marijuana among the most strictly controlled drugs, a classification that also includes LSD and heroin.
The Justice Department argued that legalizing medical marijuana would undermine the federal fight against illegal use and trafficking. At arguments in November, acting U.S. solicitor general Paul Clement said the California law might allow use by as many as 100,000 patients.
Lawyers for Raich and Monson said the impact of medical marijuana on the illegal market would be trivial.
The other medical-marijuana states are Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
Advocates of medical use say marijuana can ease cancer patients' nausea from chemotherapy, help treat glaucoma, stimulate AIDS patients' appetite and ease pain for multiple sclerosis sufferers.
The justices, siding with the Bush administration, today said Congress's power over interstate commerce is broad enough to cover locally grown and used medical marijuana. The 6-3 ruling overturns a decision that favored two California women, including one who says cannabis relieves life-threatening symptoms.
The majority said California marijuana users Angel McClary Raich and Diane Monson must turn to ``the democratic process'' for a change in the law. ``The voices of voters allied with these respondents may one day be heard in the halls of Congress,'' Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for the court in Washington.
California and nine other states exempt seriously ill people from laws banning cultivation and use of marijuana. Today's ruling means people in those states will face the risk of federal prosecution if they use or distribute marijuana.
The Bush administration said the lower court ruling would undermine its efforts to enforce anti-drug laws.
The case brought into tension two themes of the court under Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist: the limits it has imposed on the federal government and the latitude it has afforded law enforcement officers. Those issues produced an unusual breakdown among the nine justices.
A Divided Court
Joining Stevens's majority decision were Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, David H. Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote separately to say he agreed with the result, though not the majority's reasoning.
Rehnquist and Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Clarence Thomas dissented. Those three, along with Scalia and Kennedy, formed 5-4 majorities in a series of previous cases that limited the power of Congress.
``If Congress can regulate this under the Commerce Clause, then it can regulate virtually anything -- and the federal government is no longer one of limited and enumerated powers,'' Thomas wrote.
Stevens, in his opinion for the court, said locally grown and used marijuana might affect the national market.
``That the national and international narcotics trade has thrived in the face of vigorous criminal enforcement efforts suggests that no small number of unscrupulous people will make use of the California exemptions to serve their commercial ends whenever it is feasible to do so,'' he wrote.
Previous Setback
It's the second time in four years the high court has ruled against medical marijuana advocates in a fight with the federal government. In 2001 the court said the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, which bans marijuana and other drugs except for use in government-approved research projects, doesn't contain a ``medical necessity'' exception.
Raich and Monson, both Northern California residents, say all other medicines either failed to treat their symptoms or caused intolerable side effects.
Raich, 39, and her doctor say she might starve to death without marijuana. She suffers a number of conditions, including an inoperable brain tumor and a life-threatening wasting syndrome.
Raich uses marijuana given to her by two unidentified caregivers who grow it. Monson, 47, who suffers from chronic back pain and muscle spasms caused by a spinal disease, grows her own marijuana.
Federal drug agents raided Monson's home in 2002. She, Raich and the two caregivers then sued to stop federal officials from enforcing the Controlled Substances Act against them.
Impact on Illegal Market
The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily barred enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act against the women and caregivers, saying their activities didn't appear to be linked to interstate commerce.
The federal government lists marijuana among the most strictly controlled drugs, a classification that also includes LSD and heroin.
The Justice Department argued that legalizing medical marijuana would undermine the federal fight against illegal use and trafficking. At arguments in November, acting U.S. solicitor general Paul Clement said the California law might allow use by as many as 100,000 patients.
Lawyers for Raich and Monson said the impact of medical marijuana on the illegal market would be trivial.
The other medical-marijuana states are Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
Advocates of medical use say marijuana can ease cancer patients' nausea from chemotherapy, help treat glaucoma, stimulate AIDS patients' appetite and ease pain for multiple sclerosis sufferers.
» add a comment
in pain
Sep 9 2005, 12:29 am
some unknown person
Aug 1 2005, 12:29 pm
Coruption is so bad in the USA, most are afraid to even protest for fear of being shot, or investigated, prosecuted, and put in prison without a hearing.
Dictatorship is here. No freedom.
Passport, I'm coming to get you.
to some unknown person
Jul 22 2005, 6:55 pm
some unknown person
Jul 14 2005, 6:09 pm
Anti-loving are those who dictate and hurt others.
some unknown person
Jul 14 2005, 2:36 pm
Fly on Wall
Jun 18 2005, 8:49 am
Well "tha dam" can count me in mofo
im on my way
liberalsarepinheads
Jun 13 2005, 7:38 pm
Think Smart
Jun 12 2005, 1:53 pm
Northern Californian
Jun 10 2005, 6:58 pm
Next Tuesday 06/14/2005 at noon, Congress will have their first opportunity to act on an invitation extended by 6 Supreme Court Justices TO PROTECT MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENDS. Call your U.S. Representative on Monday or Tuesday morning and URGE THEIR SUPPORT on the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment to the Justice Appropriations bill.
The Hinchey-Rohrabacher Medical Marijuana Amendment would prevents the U.S. Department of Justice -- including the Drug Enforcement Administration -- from WASTING TAXPAYER MONEY to arrest, prosecute or Otherwise UnderMine State Medical Marijuana Laws.
CALL YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE. Urge their support of the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment to the Justice Appropriations bill. Members of Congress’ offices can be reached through the U.S Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or through the online congressional directory at http://clerk.house.gov/members/index.html
charlie is still a moron
Jun 10 2005, 1:31 am
U.S.American
Jun 9 2005, 5:47 pm
BruMan
Jun 9 2005, 4:42 pm
Scoll down on then click on the proper case and you can read the entire opinion.
U.S.American
Jun 9 2005, 4:30 pm
BruMan
Jun 9 2005, 4:11 pm
What her said, verbatim, is: "But perhaps even more important than these legal avenues is the democratic process, in which the voices of voters allied with these respondents may one day be heard in the halls of Congress."
To say he "longs" for medicinal marijuana supporters to be heard in Congress is extremely misleading!
U.S.American
Jun 9 2005, 3:22 pm
Dear NORML Member,
In response to this week's Supreme Court ruling granting the Justice Department the authority to prosecute state-authorized medicinal cannabis patients for violating the federal Controlled Substances Act, members of
the US House of Representatives may vote as early as next week on an amendment to bar the US Department of Justice (DOJ) from prosecuting patients who use medical cannabis in compliance with state laws.
This important bi-partisan provision, scheduled to be introduced next week by Reps. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-NY) as an
amendment to the 2005 Justice Department appropriations bill, would prohibit the DOJ and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from spending taxpayers' dollars for the purpose of pursuing "any criminal or
civil penalty or remedy against any person for the production,
distribution, or use of marijuana for medicinal purposes in a state that
authorizes that production, distribution, or use."
Writing for the Court's majority, Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens said that he longs for the day when medicinal cannabis advocates "may be heard in the halls of Congress." The 2005 Hinchey/Rohrabacher medical
marijuana amendment does just that -- giving Congress the opportunity to go on record to protect and support the health and safety of patients who use cannabis therapeutically in compliance with the laws of their state. A vote on the amendment is expected as early as next Wednesday, so members
of Congress urgently need to hear overwhelming support from their constituents. Please call and/or e-mail your member of the US House Representatives today and ask them to vote"yes" in favor of the Hinchey/Rohrabacher medical marijuana amendment. A pre written letter is available here:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7309441
Sincerely,
Allen St. Pierre
NORML Executive Director
U.S.American
Jun 9 2005, 3:11 pm
prosepimp
Jun 8 2005, 3:58 pm
I have read other posts here the talk about how much more dangerous and destructive alcohol and tobacco prducts are. It makes me sick to hear a politician justify the ban on pot by claiming to be "protecting" America's youth and health.
(barf)
If politicians were really concerned about our collective health THEY WOULD MAKE TOBACCO PRODUCTS ILLEGAL!!!!!
I will continue to break the law and spit in the face of any authority who tells me that I AM NOT ALLOWED to do something that is perfectly safe when used responsibly, and extremely easy to use responsibly. This, as opposed to tobacco, which is extremely physically and emotionally addictive and far more deadly that pot as when tobacco is consumed, it is typically consumed in drastically greater quantities than marijuana.
Also, if I spelled anythin incorrectly, please do not blame the weed. Instead, blame the asshole politicians who continually spend more on "national defense" than they do education.
Fuck national defense, or, as I like to call it, scare the shit out of people so they become xenophobic and ethnocentric and believe any fool thing the politicians tell them.
Frankly, when one considers that many parts of Europe are actually far more free and have a higher standard of living that the United States, I am starting to put the blame for these unjust laws on the moron civilian population instead of the even bigger morons running it. After all, it is "we the people" that continue to elect these worthless sacks of shit.
BruMan
Jun 8 2005, 11:46 am
Second, the Feds didn't change any state laws. They never struck down those state laws. Those laws remain. The Court stated that those who wish to use medical marijuana can be prosecuted federally.
9 dictators
Jun 8 2005, 11:28 am
We do not need the Feds running the States.
Why have State Laws? Just so 9 dictators can rewrite and trump them. Is that Democracy. No.
drgrnbud
Jun 8 2005, 11:20 am
Congress made cannabis illegal on the basis of racism,lies and corporate greed. This is a "law" that deserves to be broken.
We all have an obligation to disobey unjust laws, just as we have an obligation to obey just laws.
One cant lie and then force others to obey the lie. thats not a law, thats a dictatorship.
420 ,peace
drgrnbud
BruMan
Jun 8 2005, 10:54 am
The Constitution doesn't make reference to a lot of things that are still illegal. We have laws against marijuana...Federal laws. States can pass all the laws they want, that doesn't mean they're going to be legal.
If you read the Constitution, it also gives Congress the power to make and pass laws. That is what Congress did, it made a law stating marijuana was illegal. Maybe instead of all this 10th Amendment crap someone should challenge Congress' ability to say that marijuana is illegal. Did anyone think of that? Because that seems to be what is really at issue here. Not this latest ruling.
And for God's Sake, whatever you do, don't go voting for conservatives because you think they're pro-pot! That's nuts! This decision had nothing to do with the validity of medical marijuana, it had to do with interpreting law and what was right. That is what the Supreme Court does! Don’t kid yourselves and think that conservatives are pro-pot because you’re just fooling yourself!
drgrnbud
Jun 8 2005, 8:51 am
We should never allow polititians to choose their voters, instead of us choosing them.
420 peace,
drgrnbud
hybrid
Jun 8 2005, 4:48 am
Charlie
Jun 8 2005, 12:45 am
Charlie
Jun 8 2005, 12:19 am
stopthemadness
Jun 8 2005, 12:12 am
charlie is a moron
Jun 8 2005, 12:08 am
Charlie
Jun 7 2005, 11:49 pm
highinohigho
Jun 7 2005, 10:15 pm
xdankx
Jun 7 2005, 9:56 pm
BMF
Jun 7 2005, 9:03 pm
Modern Crusader
Jun 7 2005, 8:10 pm
BMF
Jun 7 2005, 7:41 pm
We have to be consistant. Either we have a Constitutional right to self govern at the state level or we don't. I say we do, but the liberals on the Supreme Court say we do not.
Love my Weed, Hate Gov't
Jun 7 2005, 7:00 pm
U.S.American
Jun 7 2005, 6:28 pm
By stressing the need for advocates of medical marijuana to use the democratic process, the Supreme Court has clearly made this a Congressional responsibility. This makes next week's vote in the U.S. House of Representatives all the more significant.
STATE LAWS UNAFFECTED
The ruling does not affect states' ability to pass new medical marijuana laws; states are free to continue enacting laws that protect medical marijuana patients and their providers from arrest and prosecution by state and local law enforcement officials.
What the Supreme Court has done is continue the status quo: Patients in the 10 states with medical marijuana laws are protected under state law but will continue to risk prosecution under federal law. In other words, the Court's decision means that nothing has changed. Visit http://www.mpp.org/raich for background on the case.
Do it today and Tomorrow 6/07,08-2005 Let Your Congressperson Know your Feelings!!.
Liberal Animation
Jun 7 2005, 5:58 pm
smoke 'em if you've got em.
U.S.American
Jun 7 2005, 5:56 pm
If you are in the Houston area you may wish to join members of Bayou City Compassion in front of Representative Culberson's office (10000 Memorial Drive) at noon. Please call Clayton Jones at 713-373-6674 with any questions.
If you are near Athens please join David Ballard in front of Representative Jeb Hensarling's office (100 E. Corsicana St.) at 11:30am. You can contact David at 903-849-2684 with any questions.
In Austin I will be accompanying patient Marcia Johnson as she visits the offices of all three Austin area U.S. Representatives offices. If you would like to join us in visiting any of the offices please call me at 512-220-9209 or reply to this message. We will begin our visits around 11am.
Thank you for your participation!
Noelle Davis
Executive Director
www.texansformedicalmarijuana.org
high-time-for-change
Jun 7 2005, 5:55 pm
Towel Head
Jun 7 2005, 5:45 pm
liquid karma
Jun 7 2005, 5:43 pm
Towel Head
Jun 7 2005, 5:31 pm
3J
Jun 7 2005, 4:25 pm
This here is not a game
This here is our lives
We cant fuck this up
We gotta get it right
If you wit us and you ready for war
Then lets Ride
A revolution is the only way.
Were slaves to the economy, slaves to the government from birth, they've brainwashed us into thinking that their way of life is the only right way to live. Fuck the government, stand up for what YOU believe in and dont let anyone else tell you otherwise.
The war is brewing...prepare yourselves.
Mark
Jun 7 2005, 4:08 pm
military smoker
Jun 7 2005, 4:03 pm
SamIAmNot
Jun 7 2005, 3:51 pm
BMF
Jun 7 2005, 3:43 pm
This ruling was an abomination to our Constitution! It was a violation of the 10th Amendment which says that anything not mentioned in the Constitution is left for the states to decide for themselves. Pot isn't mentioned in the Constitution, so it is one of the many things that the federal government shouldn't be allowed to regulate.
The ruling was also a violation of the Constitution's "Comerce Clause." The Commerce Clause states that Congress can regulate commerce between the states, not within the states. As long as people get their pot from in-state sources and don't import it from other states, this is not an issue that Congress should be able to regulate under the Commerce Clause.
If we would have had just one more conservative judge on the Supreme Court, we may have changed things. But thanks to the chumps that Clinton appointed, we're still in the hole.
drifter_05
Jun 7 2005, 2:20 pm
Muahahahaaa
Jun 7 2005, 1:43 pm
Fire it up. Can't get any more stupid.
ROOBS
Jun 7 2005, 1:32 pm
It wasn't the Bush Administration who did this, it was the Supreme Court. In fact, it was the conservative justices who voted for pro marijuana. We need to support Bush and his nominees to the Supreme Court so we can get more conservatives on the bench."
WHAT THE FUCK PLANET ARE YOU LIVING ON??????
THEY'VE GOT YOU SO FUCKING BRAINWASHED THAT YOU ARE NOW BLIND.
BLIND SHEEP LOVE DECEPTION.
Green Goat
Jun 7 2005, 12:59 pm
Grakkar
Jun 7 2005, 12:12 pm
WHILE YOUR WAITING FOR THEM TO DO THAT GO HERE:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5588112443
BMF
Jun 7 2005, 12:09 pm
LenM
Jun 7 2005, 11:27 am
BUCK
Jun 7 2005, 11:26 am
BUCK
Jun 7 2005, 10:54 am
peace/love
Roobs
Jun 7 2005, 10:47 am
GREED, POWER, $$$$, FUCKING YOU, OIL, DEATH, WAR, ECT...
WAY TO GO AMERICA!!
WHICH LOSER ARE YOU GOING TO CHOOSE TO FUCK OUR COUNTRY NEXT?
I DINT VOTE FOR THAT LAME FUCKING MORON ON EITHER ELECTION.
FUCK BUSH AND EVERYBODY HE KNOWS!! 100%EVIL!
D-UNIT 420 Soldier
Jun 7 2005, 10:45 am
!!!!
shadyslim007
Jun 7 2005, 10:30 am
ruffdiemon
Jun 7 2005, 10:23 am
BruMan
Jun 7 2005, 10:09 am
Do some homework; justices didn't rule against pot...they simply said federal law trumps the state law.
The Supreme Court does not make law, it interprets law...again, do some homework and maybe you'll have a clue!
BUCK
Jun 7 2005, 9:37 am
BUCK
Jun 7 2005, 9:25 am
OVER GROW THE GOVERMENT WHEN IN DOUT SMOKE THEM OUT.
STAY STRONG PEOPLE LET FREEDOM RING WE MUST STAY THE COURSE.
Beth
Jun 7 2005, 8:48 am
Beth
Jun 7 2005, 8:48 am
beth
Jun 7 2005, 8:45 am
Feth
Jun 7 2005, 8:23 am
Stoner
Jun 7 2005, 7:56 am
420 Revolution
Jun 7 2005, 6:22 am
prosepimp
Jun 7 2005, 5:31 am
Damn, there goes my argument about marijuana being safe. I am obviously a danger to all of society.
Someone pass me a bag of chips.
prosepimp
Jun 7 2005, 5:28 am
It sickens me, though does not suprise me in the least, that the general public and legal system are so pathetically mindless as to fall for all of this anti=marijuana propoganda.
ROW-B
Jun 7 2005, 4:49 am
xdankx
Jun 7 2005, 4:05 am
prosepimp
Jun 7 2005, 2:38 am
If people really want marijuana to be completely legal for everyone, they have to attack the laws with the same fervor as a lobbyist on crack. The general public need to be informed just how profitable -- yet safe -- marijuana could be to the economy and communities throughout the United States. If pot were legal, I guarantee the national debt would disappear within 5 years, crime rates would probably drop a solid 20 to 25 percent, and Joe Public would be in a good mood -- a lot.
man dis fuck'd
Jun 7 2005, 2:19 am
U.S.Citizen
Jun 7 2005, 1:58 am
Join Angel and her husband Robert Raich, along with the Alliance's Executive Director Ethan Nadelmann for a live web chat to get Angel's firsthand reaction to the ruling.
When: Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at
5 PM EDT / 2 PM PDT
Where: Online at DrugPolicy.org.
Please email questions@drugpolicy.org before June 8 to submit questions, and don't forget to bookmark the chat address!
Get Involved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
U.S.Citizen
Jun 7 2005, 1:42 am
Busy day. Here are the talking points that ASA is using with the press.
Please use the concepts when and if you are talking to the press, writing
press releases, or writing letters to editor.
Thank you! This is the best defeat we could have asked for. Let's keep up
the hard work!
Steph Sherer
1) The Supreme Court Decision in Gonzalez v. Raich does NOT affect the
medical marijuana voters' initiatives in any way. Legally, patients are in
the exact same place we were in before the Ninth Circuit decision, state law
can exist in conflict with federal law. Politically, the Justices have now
joined patients, doctors, medical associations, 80% of Americans and policy
makers in urging Congress and the FDA to reschedule marijuana.
2) According to the AG of California, state courts can only consider state
law when dealing with medical marijuana. That means that our state law does
not change and state officials must still uphold the voters' intent.
3) According to the Supreme Court decision the Federal Government CAN
prosecute medical marijuana patients. It does not say they MUST prosecute
patients. In fact the Justices question the wisdom in doing so.
4) The DEA busting California's sick and dying would be like one of our
local police departments pulling all their women and men off their assigned
duties and make them all focus on jaywalkers. Jaywalking is technically
illegal but is it the top priority?
5) We are disappointed with the decision but we are hopeful that Congress
and the FDA will follow the Justices' urging and reschedule medical
marijuana.
6) The Justices of our Nation have joined patients, doctors, medical
associations, and policy makers in urging Congress and the FDA to reschedule
marijuana. This would allow our country to finally have an objective,
accurate, science-based conversation about marijuana as medicine and those
who need it.
historycircus
Jun 7 2005, 1:35 am
Don't Pay Attention to the idiots.
historycircus
Jun 7 2005, 1:14 am
The whole Sup. Court has historically been hostile to medical use - it was just that this time, it was most notably from the liberal perspective, the Democrats. But get this - all nine judges are millionaraires, either on their own or through marriage. The Dems and Repubs are all in on screwing the average U.S. Citizen, this was just an opportunity for the conservatives to orchistrate a media event that left them looking like the "good guys." Professional Dems and Repubs, like it or not, are working together to keep us divided.
Oh, and fuck violence - it is the ulitmate of last resorts, not the immediate solution. What kind of blood-thirsty jack-asses are you? Smoke a joint and become peaceful, you morons.
Respectfully,
The History Circus
SCORE 6-3
Jun 7 2005, 1:01 am
Prudent person
Jun 7 2005, 1:00 am
tom
Jun 7 2005, 12:33 am
historycircus
Jun 7 2005, 12:26 am
Slavery was a vicious institution, and slave owners got what they deserved (and probably not enough). But in the process, state sovereignty and regional autonomy were crushed. The medical use/legalization debate is a debate for the states, not federal representatives. Social policy is best settled on the regional level. If there is an even division among the states, like in 1861, then let the dogs of war decide. BUT - let every state, through referendum, have its own say.
SKEPTIK
Jun 7 2005, 12:25 am
chronicman
Jun 7 2005, 12:25 am
WHat the hell do you think it looks like to others. Ok for booze that kills.!!!! BOOOOOOOOO Bad call!!!!
Brian Wille
Jun 7 2005, 12:19 am
Brian Wille
Jun 7 2005, 12:19 am
Brian Wille
Jun 7 2005, 12:19 am
Brian Wille
Jun 7 2005, 12:19 am
Live Free Or Die
Jun 7 2005, 12:08 am
Charlie Choo Choo
Jun 6 2005, 11:51 pm
Charlie Choo Choo
Jun 6 2005, 11:48 pm
Donna
Jun 6 2005, 11:37 pm
Republican Head
Jun 6 2005, 11:23 pm
Liberals say what you will but SCOREBOARD: the only people supporting this were Republicans.
wasted
Jun 6 2005, 10:39 pm
Confused
Jun 6 2005, 10:21 pm
So, what happens if Jeb becomes president?
I will accomplish what my father(GB Sr.) could not.
Marijuana - The tree of knowledge of good and evil.
no name
Jun 6 2005, 9:53 pm
Cank
Jun 6 2005, 9:45 pm
disheartened
Jun 6 2005, 9:41 pm
Sincerely
Mike in NC
Jun 6 2005, 9:33 pm
wwwshroom
Jun 6 2005, 9:18 pm
Living In Pain
Jun 6 2005, 9:15 pm
Living In Pain
Jun 6 2005, 9:12 pm
quizky
Jun 6 2005, 9:12 pm
quizky
Jun 6 2005, 9:07 pm
some unknown person
Jun 6 2005, 9:01 pm
Are you a girlie man, Arnold? Or will you stand up for your state?
anonymous
Jun 6 2005, 8:56 pm
KingCrip
Jun 6 2005, 8:17 pm
U.S.Citizen
Jun 6 2005, 8:16 pm
ACTION 2: FOLLOW UP WITH A FAX. Please visit http://hinchey.kintera.org to send a free fax or e-mail to your U.S. representative to urging the protection of medical marijuana patients.
ACTION 3: Then, please visit http://www.RaichAction.org to participate in a demonstration outside of your U.S. representative's local district office at noon on Wednesday, June 8.
wasted
Jun 6 2005, 8:15 pm
U.S.Citizen
Jun 6 2005, 8:12 pm
3. Call or Fax Michael Leavitt. Urge Health and Human Services to reschedule marijuana In 2001 HHS ruled that marijuana has "No currently accepted medical use in treatment." HHS arrived at this incorrect conclusion by ignoring the overwhelming scientific data recognizing cannabis as a useful treatment.
To ensure safe access for ALL patients, medical marijuana must be removed from Schedule I and it’s medicinal value must be recognized at the federal level.
Call Michael Leavitt, Secretary of HHS to encourage him to support the petition for rescheduling that was submitted in 2002 by the Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis, an association of public-interest groups and medical cannabis patients that includes Americans for Safe Access.
Contact Info:
Telephone: 202-619-0257
Toll Free: 1-877-696-6775
Shane from Canada, eh?
Jun 6 2005, 8:05 pm
With something called the Patriot Act eyeballing all of them, this ruling makes them the first in line to be thrown behind bars.
This ruling is also proof that the power of your individual state governments are slowly slipping away.
Your plant needs you now more than ever, and those of us here up North who care will be watching. And for those of you whose hearts are truly set on coming here, happy to have you.
Happy toking, nevertheless.
Mookieboo
Jun 6 2005, 7:57 pm
Thomas Jefferson
Jun 6 2005, 7:56 pm
Biko
Jun 6 2005, 7:54 pm
Zac from New Hampshire
Jun 6 2005, 7:50 pm
wasted
Jun 6 2005, 7:38 pm
KingCrip
Jun 6 2005, 7:36 pm
KingCrip
Jun 6 2005, 7:36 pm
wasted
Jun 6 2005, 7:36 pm
KingCrip
Jun 6 2005, 7:28 pm
New Recruit
Jun 6 2005, 7:21 pm
We must meet this challenge and we must meet it by playing the only game the governments power brokers know how to play…………….big money! We must do our best to donate money to organizations such as NORML so that they could also afford lobbyists to go up against the drug companies special interests. Look at how powerful a group like AARP has become the last several years in influencing our current governments policies, if we could unify such as our senior citizens have we could also effect profound change through unity.
I have not been active in any way, shape or form with any organizations seeking favorable Marijuana legislation, I’ve only watched from the sidelines but today was a real wake up call for me, going forward I will be diverting some of my income to support NORML. Please think about the thoughts I have just shared and by all means tell your friends about it also!
Oh……….last thing, these written thoughts of violence, name calling and other misguided energy I have read on this tread just makes me think you (who are doing it) are as bad as GW and his band misinformed cronies!
New Recruit
supremeinjustice
Jun 6 2005, 7:11 pm
General Weed
Jun 6 2005, 6:56 pm
Get your ak-47s' with street sweeper clips , tasers, etc. prepare the war is going to escalate. It's time for targeted assassinations of corrupt dictators, no one has the right to tell me or you what we can do to our own bodies.
4eversmokin
Jun 6 2005, 6:45 pm
Drugged Warrior
Jun 6 2005, 6:45 pm
Fight the war on drugs. The time is now. Revolt!!
US Marijuana Army
Jun 6 2005, 6:38 pm
The Flute,Drumer and Our Flag 1776!!.
I Believe in the Bill of Rights! and the U.S.Constitution. So we have to use it IN the way that the POWERS THAT BE are DOING Right NOW!!!!!.
freedom fighter
Jun 6 2005, 6:34 pm
drgrnbud
Jun 6 2005, 6:22 pm
Timber
Alcohol
Tobacco
Oil
Cotton
Prison
Pharmacuetical
One of my suggestions would be to ask you all to find out what companies fund the war on drugs/cannabis, and dont buy those products.
Crest Toothpaste being one of them...and
Pepsie
Coke
Budweiser
Busch
Coors, etc etc.
There is a list online available.
Your government has waged war against its people. They are willing to kill you.
They are willing to tear your family apart.
They are willing to destroy your source of income.
They are willing to cage you.
They are willing to steal your property.
All for using a plant less dangerous than the big fat cigars we see them smoking, and far less dangerous than the bourbon or whiskey or wine, we see them filling their fat asses with.
Use deadly tobacco in your home while the kids are there, and the effects are dangerous for life, and there is no problem. Use cannabis and you are locked up, kids taken away, lose job, etc etc. FUCK THAT!!!
Lets hear some ideas on what we can do to fight back. And we shall not turn this into an "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" battle. The last thing we need is a nation full of blind toothless people stumblin 'round.
Peace,
drgrnbud
KamikazyBud
Jun 6 2005, 6:15 pm
Devistated
Jun 6 2005, 6:06 pm
MM III
Jun 6 2005, 5:41 pm
Thank you for your attentions and considerations,
Tyler Joseph Wiseman
MM II
Jun 6 2005, 5:40 pm
turmoil as follows in the upcoming months, yet you should not overlook the anguish of the myriad medical patients who find a lesser physiologically consequential relief through the use of MM in this overall tumult.
Cancer patients are the foremost of these
allieved persons, with citations of life sparing benefits of appetite conductors, nausea supressants, pain relievants, and overall euphoric effects that stave off the hopelessness of affliction-thereby reaffirming the indominitable human struggle to survive beyond personal adversity. Patients with such debilitating conditions as Scoliosis, Osteoporosis, and the numerous effects of Chronic Pain from life long injuries can attest to the beneficial effects, and have for years in order to ease the daily suffering of their suffrance of this modern pursuit. Furthermore, those Glaucoma patients who find their sight spared through the use of this wondrous curative can well attest how it has enriched the remaining years of their lives by affording the most valued of our American virtues, vision.
So it is that I, on behalf of all those whom I've known to benefit from MM, do appeal to your collective vision to retract these impositions upon the human condition. It would be a simple affair to conjecture upon the economic benefits of such an abundant and versatile herb, given the proper utilization (As well demonstrated by our very forefathers) so well as the psychological and physiological benefits, however, the moral stance forbids such disciminatory dissertation on the grounds that our collective welfare is better served in the semantics of a medical context than the mere consumeristic.
MM to congress 1
Jun 6 2005, 5:39 pm
In a time of immense internal strife, the moderate moral conflict inherent in the proponent allowance of MM is one that can only offset the more preevalent issues which trouble this nation. One of a conspiracist bend might conjecture this to be a smoke screen struggle to such ends, however, in so far as that the issue at hand is the welfare of those ailng patients, it is best to appeal to the specificity of the victims of this act.
your brother in bud
Jun 6 2005, 5:09 pm
stop the dumbasses
Jun 6 2005, 5:08 pm
stop the dumbasses
Jun 6 2005, 4:59 pm
call me the PREACHER
Jun 6 2005, 4:55 pm
4pain420
Jun 6 2005, 4:54 pm
4pain420
Jun 6 2005, 4:49 pm
Summer
Jun 6 2005, 4:47 pm
pablo
Jun 6 2005, 4:46 pm
stop the dumbasses
Jun 6 2005, 4:43 pm
pablo
Jun 6 2005, 4:22 pm
america the free ! i will fight for my freedom like my for fathers
pablo
Jun 6 2005, 4:17 pm
citizen of america we the people for the people BY the people
Tyler Joseph Wiseman
Jun 6 2005, 4:17 pm
There's a fat cat,
sitting on high
smoking his crack
and wondering why
that office is Oval
when it's filled with all these squares
He doesn't care,
the honeymoon was finsished
after the votes were tallied,
and after the polls were fixed
by dope hazed idiots
who want a do as I say,
instad of what you can't see me do-
an administration that fights for truth
(Which, as we all know is a philosophic semantic)
Justice
(Which Socrates could not place, and the human race
has been struggling
to understand since)
and the post-political apocalypso American Whey
They'll say, would you like
some rotten and soured grapes
with that Velveeta?
Forget Cancer, forget pain,
special interests rule the morality!
Buck the system, babies, buck the system.
bob
Jun 6 2005, 4:05 pm
Ben Franklin
Jun 6 2005, 3:43 pm
dmak
Jun 6 2005, 3:43 pm
SMOKEBLUNTS420
Jun 6 2005, 3:42 pm
Ganja
Jun 6 2005, 3:38 pm
The next thing Bush's Admin. will be banning is paid programming such as Satellite radio which is something WE pay for. Raw and Real life is too much for those Republican SQUARES. I need a joint.
Banning legal Marijuana...is just like them trying to ban abortion. IT"S THE CHOICE OF THE PERSON... it's like all those freaks act like they have to inhail or get a tube suck up there FUCKIN PISS HOLE...let the people DO WHAT THEY WANT FUCKERS!
Let's all have bible study everyone... let's all hold hands and form a circle. America will be just as bad as the all the other religious countries where NOBODY can THINK for THEMSELVES!
damk
Jun 6 2005, 3:30 pm
Patrick Henry
Jun 6 2005, 3:29 pm
Give the states their liberty or give us death!!!!!
truth
Jun 6 2005, 3:24 pm
Red Neckerson
Jun 6 2005, 3:21 pm
It's clearly unconstitutional for the SCOTUS to rule this way. The US Constitution makes no mention of marijuana, so it is a 10th Amendment issue. The states should be left to make the ultimate decision if they wish to make marijuana either illegal or legal for medicinal or recreational reasons.
One mention of Congress being able to regulate state issues is in regard to interstate commerce. Once again, Congress shouldn’t be able to say a word concerning this issue because states weren’t importing marijuana from other states.
Let's all work to stop judicial activism and take our country back! Vote conservative!
pablo
Jun 6 2005, 3:06 pm
it seems that america needs to open ther eyes , there
will never be a drug free america , you cant control life , humans will do as they wish, hard drugs r wrong yes these people need help, marijuana needs to be taken out of the black market! good people are murdered, corruption in our force, the value is so high on street it trades for guns and hard drugs! An i ask if our childen
decide to smoke a joint shuldnt it be pot ,if a future drug dealer laces it with hard drugs we have a probem! an tell the truth pot
shouldnt be classified as a drug , this sends a wrongful message to our youth , they try pot an say thats week
an fourt venture out to hard subastances , beeing misled about hard drugs! further more
pot plants are a key nessetiy
to life an nature bees need them deer an animals eat them
but most of all they take in pollution at a larger rate and tranfer it to o2 twice as much than any other plant at one time they grew across our country side for a reson ,they are an imprtant to our ozone ! o an bush dont say were broke no social security ! cannabis is the biggest profit out bigger than constrution in the us last year alon e pot was a multi billon dollar industry in which our govt could grow
and rake in all this money plus tax no to mention the jobs it wold open up
thank you for your time
ps. support our hard working troops in these tought time
god bless america , god
is all energy amen
wonderoflostcause
Jun 6 2005, 2:43 pm
BOB GILLARD
Jun 6 2005, 2:42 pm
How or why is it possible for a person to consume tobacco products and the additives, that the producers do not have to list,in this country and a person not be able to consume marijuana? Second hand tobacco smoke kills, everyday. Tobacco kills everyday thousands. What if anything have we learned from prohibition? Our country continues to lead the world in HYPOCRISY! We also continue to lead the world in arrests for marijuana possesion, death by cigarette smoking, and alcohol related deaths! The arguments for marijuana should be statistically raised, in comparison to the leading legal drugs; alcohol and tobacco. They are also the statistically leading GATEWAY drugs.
bruja13
Jun 6 2005, 2:38 pm
seanslatteryWilmington,de
Jun 6 2005, 2:26 pm
seanslatteryWilmington,De
Jun 6 2005, 2:22 pm
some unknown person
Jun 6 2005, 2:15 pm
TommyChong
Jun 6 2005, 2:14 pm
Modern Crusader
Jun 6 2005, 2:10 pm
C
Jun 6 2005, 2:06 pm
nathan
Jun 6 2005, 1:53 pm
LenM
Jun 6 2005, 1:30 pm
responsible smoker
Jun 6 2005, 1:29 pm
King420
Jun 6 2005, 1:24 pm
Rabbit in Oklahoma
Jun 6 2005, 1:16 pm
M2daJ
Jun 6 2005, 1:15 pm
Illinois lawyer
Jun 6 2005, 1:13 pm
REMEBER THIS!!!
Even SCALIA only concurred in part
Mindy
Jun 6 2005, 1:03 pm
King420
Jun 6 2005, 1:03 pm
F Bush. He is a peice of sh*t. This is all due to the government wanting to keep control of the peeps.
cali
Jun 6 2005, 1:01 pm
the unknown pothead
Jun 6 2005, 12:51 pm
C
Jun 6 2005, 12:50 pm
the OG of buds
Jun 6 2005, 12:48 pm
Enraged American
Jun 6 2005, 12:46 pm
No cool.
Enraged American
Jun 6 2005, 12:42 pm
kill them
Jun 6 2005, 12:40 pm
Enraged American
Jun 6 2005, 12:22 pm
It IS our Constitutional right according to the 9th and 10th ammendments AND an inalienable right according to the Declaration of Independence.
"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so." - Thomas Jefferson
Baked in WI
Jun 6 2005, 12:21 pm
Time 2 take a big ol' rip off da bong!
:)
stoner
Jun 6 2005, 12:07 pm
SSSSSSYYYYYSSSSTTTTEEEEEMMMM
King420
Jun 6 2005, 11:57 am
QUACK QUACK QUACK
Jun 6 2005, 11:55 am
likes2smoke2
Jun 6 2005, 11:51 am
and may "GOD" bless America and make our favorite past time legal. Elections are comming "VOTE"
some unknown person
Jun 6 2005, 11:50 am
Hello my fellow Americans. As you may know I, George W. Bush am in my second term and I am doing a fucked up job as your President! I launched 2 wars based on lies for all the oil and drugs, and blamed my good friends Osama and Saddam on 911! I also launched a fake war on terrorism so I will make you believe that you are afraid of Arab people and grant more power to me to stop them! Oh I love random cavity searches at the airport on my own people. Hell, I got in office and I didn't even win the election! What a country!
Hehe...I got into office because my daddy knows the right people. My daddy and his friends were even selling candy back in the day!! Just conform to my way of ignorance, intolerance, and stupidity and you will be fine! If not, we have a little place in Cuba for you to spend the rest of your days.
Mr. President Bush
pf
Jun 6 2005, 11:45 am
420
Jun 6 2005, 11:43 am
pf
Jun 6 2005, 11:42 am
C
Jun 6 2005, 11:38 am
some unknown person
Jun 6 2005, 11:38 am
big g
Jun 6 2005, 11:36 am
stone2rock
Jun 6 2005, 11:32 am
gundostoner
Jun 6 2005, 11:31 am
NIXILLA
Jun 6 2005, 11:19 am
Long Live the Empire
Jun 6 2005, 11:18 am
We don't care so much about the constitution. All your power are belong to us.
Sincerely,
The Federal Gub'mint
cattle
Jun 6 2005, 11:11 am
the haiku kid
Jun 6 2005, 11:10 am
weed's not constitutional?
supreme court my ass!
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