Pubdate: Wed, 08 Jun 2005
Source: Bend Bugle (OR)
Copyright: 2005 Bend Bugle
Contact:  http://bend.com/news/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3527
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

COURT DECISION LEAVES MEDICAL POT IN LIMBO

State Temporarily Stops Issuing Medical Marijuana Cards

Following today's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that federal authorities
may prosecute users of medical marijuana, the Oregon Department of
Human Services (DHS) is temporarily halting issuance of medical
marijuana registration cards.

"We need to proceed cautiously until we understand the ramifications
of this ruling," said state public health officer Grant Higginson,
M.D., who oversees the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. "We have
contacted the state attorney general to ask for a formal legal opinion
on how the court's ruling affects Oregon's program."

DHS will continue to receive and process applications, Higginson said,
but no registration cards will be issued until the Department of
Justice provides further direction.

Oregon is one of the states with laws allowing the medical use of
marijuana with a doctor's recommendation. Currently, more than 10,000
medical marijuana patients are registered in Oregon's program.

Staff in the state medical marijuana program were responding to
card-holders' questions Monday, such as whether they can withdraw from
the program (they can), and deferring detailed answers until the
attorney general issues a legal opinion.
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MAP posted-by: Derek