Supreme Court Is Set to Consider Medical Marijuana [View All]

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 27 (AP) - Traditional drugs have done little to help Angel Raich. Beset by a nightmarish list of ailments that includes tumors in her brain and uterus, seizures, spasms and nausea, Ms. Raich, 39, says she has been able to find comfort only in marijuana, which was recommended by her doctor.


It eases her pain, allows her to rise out of a wheelchair and promotes an appetite that prevents her from wasting away, she said. Her doctor, Frank Lucido, said marijuana was "the only drug of almost three dozen we have tried that works."

On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that will determine whether Ms. Raich; another plaintiff, Diana Monson; and similar patients in California and 10 other states can continue to use marijuana for medical purposes.

At issue is whether Congress has the constitutional authority to enforce federal drug laws in states that allow the use of drugs the federal government has banned.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/28/politics/28marijuana.html