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December 3, 2009

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Editorial: Legal questions over medical marijuana

Tuesday, May 15, 2001 | 9:41 a.m.

The U.S. Supreme Court handed a defeat Monday to those who believe marijuana should be given to patients to help them relieve their pain from cancer and other illnesses. In a decision involving an Oakland cooperative that sought to distribute marijuana for medical purposes, the Supreme Court ruled 8-0 that federal law, which limits the use of controlled substances, didn't provide any exceptions for marijuana.

Still, many legal analysts said that the decision was narrowly tailored to that of distribution, and that the ruling left intact ballot initiatives or laws passed in states, including in Nevada, to allow medical marijuana. To clear up any confusion, however, Congress should grant states the flexibility to put in place programs that would permit marijuana to be used for strictly medical purposes. Decency and respect for those who are seriously ill warrants congressional action.

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