Court: Dying Can Be Charged For Using Marijuana
SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- A California woman whose doctor says marijuana is the only medicine keeping her alive is not immune from federal prosecution on drug charges, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.
The case was brought by Angel Raich, an Oakland mother of two who suffers from scoliosis, a brain tumor, chronic nausea and other ailments. On her doctor's advice, she eats or smokes marijuana every couple of hours to ease her pain and bolster a nonexistent appetite as conventional drugs did not work.
The Supreme Court ruled against Raich two years ago, saying that medical marijuana users and their suppliers could be prosecuted for breaching federal drug laws even if they lived in a state such as California where medical pot is legal.
Because of that ruling, the issue before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was narrowed to the so-called right to life theory: that marijuana should be allowed if it is the only viable option to keep a patient alive.
Raich, 41, began sobbing when she was told of the decision and said she would continue using the drug.
"I'm sure not going to let them kill me," she said. "Oh my God."
How ridiculous is this country when we hand out prescription drugs by the handful, yet won't legally allow a dying woman the necessary comfort of some marijuana? Personally, I think this is further proof that the war on drugs in a laughable farce. Why is it that in America we encourage "drinking til you puke", and/or taking prescription drugs for every real and imagined problem, but a terminally ill woman is threatened with prosecution for a little pot?! I find it bizarre, not to mention hypocritical.
The case was brought by Angel Raich, an Oakland mother of two who suffers from scoliosis, a brain tumor, chronic nausea and other ailments. On her doctor's advice, she eats or smokes marijuana every couple of hours to ease her pain and bolster a nonexistent appetite as conventional drugs did not work.
The Supreme Court ruled against Raich two years ago, saying that medical marijuana users and their suppliers could be prosecuted for breaching federal drug laws even if they lived in a state such as California where medical pot is legal.
Because of that ruling, the issue before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was narrowed to the so-called right to life theory: that marijuana should be allowed if it is the only viable option to keep a patient alive.
Raich, 41, began sobbing when she was told of the decision and said she would continue using the drug.
"I'm sure not going to let them kill me," she said. "Oh my God."
How ridiculous is this country when we hand out prescription drugs by the handful, yet won't legally allow a dying woman the necessary comfort of some marijuana? Personally, I think this is further proof that the war on drugs in a laughable farce. Why is it that in America we encourage "drinking til you puke", and/or taking prescription drugs for every real and imagined problem, but a terminally ill woman is threatened with prosecution for a little pot?! I find it bizarre, not to mention hypocritical.
posted by Leo at 3:08 PM
7 Comments:
Nothing in this world causes more pain and early death that self-righteousness, does it?
This is outrageous! Hospice programs often give cterminal patients enough morphine to shut their bodys down in order for them to be comfortable, but smoking a joint is bad? WTF???
Yeah, you guys expressed my thoughts exactly! Thanks for the comments.
When are they going to legalize it already? It's insane that alcohol is legal and weed isn't.
Where is it that these reefer puffers think they can get off and get around the law? It's disgraceful!!
Kilroy Was Here
Oh, since you moderate I should say, have a look at my site. I couldn't help a heavy bit of sarcasm on this one. Brainless government twits!!
Cheers
i say legalize drugs as soon as we do away with welfare. i don't want my tax dollars going to some hippie heroin addict who sits on the couch all day. i know they were talking about weed, but it wouldn't stop there.
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