Pubdate: Mon, 21 May 2001 Source: Chicago Tribune (IL) Copyright: 2001 Chicago Tribune Company Contact: http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/82 Author: Austin Hough Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n884/a05.html CRUEL RULING East Dundee -- By rejecting a "medical necessity" defense for marijuana, the Supreme Court of the United States on May 14 sentenced AIDS and cancer victims to certain slow and painful deaths ("Medical marijuana clubs lose in court, Justices say U.S. drug law rules out exceptions," Page 1, May 15). In an 8-0 ruling, the nation's high court approved a Justice Department injunction against California cannabis cooperative that supplied medical marijuana to patients. The court rejected any medical-necessity exemption to federal marijuana laws. With this ruling, the federal government has officially turned its War on Drugs into a war on lifesaving medicine. It should now be obvious to Americans that the government feels that handcuffs and prison cells are the best medication for terminally ill patients. Medical uses for marijuana have been proven to help ease the pain for those suffering from AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis. But the government feels that it would be better for America to let these sick people continue to suffer than to make an exception. That's not just cruelty--that's cruelty directed at our most vulnerable citizens. For compassionate Americans who reject the argument that marijuana is more dangerous than prison, we need to work harder to guarantee AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis patients access to lifesaving medicines. And that includes electing people to office who will repeal these laws that restrict our freedom to choose. Austin Hough, State chairman, Libertarian Party of Illinois. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager