TOP HEALTH STORIES WERE SCARY, AMAZING

>From the unprecedented bacterial attacks on unsuspecting Americans to
once-unimaginable medical breakthroughs, the health news in 2001 was both
terrifying and awe-inspiring.

Following is a list of what health and medical editors consider the top 10
stories of the past 12 months.

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9. Medical Marijuana Takes A Hit

Advocates of the medical use of marijuana suffered a blow when the U.S.
Supreme Court, in a limited ruling, voted against sanctioning the
therapeutic use of the otherwise illegal drug. Citing no "medical benefits
worthy of exception," the Court upheld the federal law controlling
narcotics.

The decision undercut earlier efforts by California legislators to
distribute marijuana to cancer patients and other patients who claim it
relieves pain and the side effects of some traditional medical treatments.

[Content not related to drug policy snipped for brevity]