LEGAL QUESTIONS OVER MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The U.S. Supreme Court handed a defeat Monday to those who believe
marijuana should be given to patients to help them relieve their pain from
cancer and other illnesses. In a decision involving an Oakland cooperative
that sought to distribute marijuana for medical purposes, the Supreme Court
ruled 8-0 that federal law, which limits the use of controlled substances,
didn't provide any exceptions for marijuana.

Still, many legal analysts said that the decision was narrowly tailored to
that of distribution, and that the ruling left intact ballot initiatives or
laws passed in states, including in Nevada, to allow medical marijuana. To
clear up any confusion, however, Congress should grant states the
flexibility to put in place programs that would permit marijuana to be used
for strictly medical purposes. Decency and respect for those who are
seriously ill warrants congressional action.