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.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager