BARR HAILS POT DECISION

The U.S. Supreme Court handed medical marijuana users a major defeat
Monday, ruling that a federal law classifying the drug as illegal has no
exception for ill patients.

The 8-0 decision was a major disappointment to many sufferers of AIDS,
cancer, multiple sclerosis and other illnesses. They have said the drug
helped enormously in combatting the devastating effects of their diseases.

But U.S. Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., immediately hailed the ruling.

"The unanimous vote in this case reflects the overwhelming evidence that
marijuana has been appropriately and lawfully declared to be a dangerous,
mind-altering substance that should not be legalized for whatever contrived
reason," Barr said.

The court's action does not strike down state laws allowing medical use of
marijuana, but leaves those distributing the drug for that purpose open to
prosecution.

Barr, however, claims the medical marijuana movement is a scam designed to
open the door to widespread distribution of the drug.

"The true aim of those who support the so-called medical marijuana movement
has been and continues to be, the legalization of all drugs," the 7th
District representative said. "Terminally ill patients have been used as
pawns in a cynical political game designed to weaken society's opposition
to drug abuse."

Barr said the Supreme Court decision will damage the movement.

"Fortunately, the Supreme Court did the right thing and stopped this
dangerous movement dead in its tracks (Monday)," he said, "though the drug
legalization movement...will no doubt continue its efforts."

- -- On the Net:

Supreme Court site: http://www.supremecourtus.gov

For the appeals court ruling in U.S. v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers'
Cooperative: http://www.uscourts.gov/links.html, and click on 9th Circuit.

Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative: http://www.rxcbc.org