Drug Policy: The ACLU Drug Law
Reform Project
is a division of the national ACLU. Our goal is to end punitive drug policies
that cause the widespread violation of constitutional and human rights, as well
as unprecedented levels of incarceration.
Opposing review of a decision barring the government from punishing doctors who recommend medical marijuana The ACLU is asking the Supreme Court to let stand a federal appeals court ruling that allows doctors to recommend medical marijuana to their patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other life-threatening diseases. The case arose after California voters passed Proposition 215 in November 1996, which makes it legal for patients to grow and possess marijuana for medical use when a doctor recommends it. The Clinton administration reacted by threatening to revoke the licenses of physicians who recommended medical use of marijuana; the Bush Administration has continued that policy. The ACLU represents 15 doctors and patients in California who have suffered as a result of the federal government's threats to doctors regarding the discussion of marijuana as medicine.
Update: On October 14, the Supreme Court let stand the federal court of appeals ruling that allows doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients, effectively upholding the medical marijuana provisions of seven states within the Ninth Circuit, where the original ruling was made. Read more >>>
