Pubdate: Wed, 08 Jun 2005
Source: Kansas City Star (MO)
Copyright: 2005 The Kansas City Star
Contact:  http://www.kcstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221

A STRETCH OF COURT'S REACH

In an unfortunate ruling this week, the U.S. Supreme Court declared
that federal authority trumped state laws allowing medical use of
marijuana. Congress should step in to ensure that tax dollars are not
squandered on the harassment of cancer patients and others who
consider marijuana an effective painkiller.

To justify federal prosecutions, the six justices stretched the
"commerce clause" of the Constitution well beyond what three of their
colleagues considered reasonable.

An appalled Justice Sandra Day O'Connor warned that the decision
"threatens to sweep all of productive human activity into federal
regulatory reach."

Constitutional issues aside, President Bush and Congress can always
change the harsh federal approach.

The House of Representatives could vote soon on an amendment that
would block the Justice Department from hounding patients over
marijuana use.

Lawmakers should approve the measure. Sick people have enough problems
already. 
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MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)