Medical Marijuana Ruling Disappointing

MEDICAL MARIJUANA RULING DISAPPOINTING

Washington, D.C. - This morning Congressman San Farr (CA-17) expressed his extreme disappointment in reaction to the Supreme Court ruling stating that federal authorities may prosecute sick people who use medical marijuana under state laws and doctor prescriptions.

"This morning's ruling is a harsh blow to states' rights. When states pass laws to protect medical marijuana users, the federal government needs to recognize that authority, and focus its attention on illegal users rather than attacking patients who are debilitated and dying. Now the Supreme Court says the only way we can move forward is for Congress to change the law - so that's what we'll do. Today's ruling is disheartening to say the least, but it is far from the last word on this issue," said Farr.

In 2003, Farr authored the Truth in Trials Act (H.R. 1717, 108th Congress) which would have established an affirmative defense for any person facing prosecution for a marijuana-related offense when the activities were in compliance with state medical marijuana laws. Farr will re-introduce the bill in the coming months.

"Often people joke about marijuana, but due process and respecting state laws is a serious issue. Beyond that, I think it's high time the federal government recognized that one of the best ways to
prevent recreational use of a drug is to let doctors prescribe it in closely regulated ways. I am proud of my efforts to protect legal medical marijuana use and plan to keep pressing for legislation," added Farr.

Last month, Farr joined Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) as original cosponsor of the bipartisan States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act (H.R. 2087). This bill would protect medical marijuana patients, as well as doctors and pharmacists, in states with medical marijuana laws from prosecution under the federal Controlled Substances Act for state authorized activities. Farr also carried the "Hinchey Amendment" to the Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations bill last July which asked that no funds in the bill be used to prevent states from implementing state laws authorizing the use of medical marijuana.

"I am an advocate for regulated use of medical marijuana simply because there is no good reason to keep seriously ill patients from doctor-prescribed relief. If marijuana, under controlled circumstances, provides medical relief no other drug can, then allowing it is the compassionate thing to do," said Farr.

# # #

http://www.farr.house.gov/issues2.cfm?id=10672