MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Copyright (c) 1997, City News Service of Los Angeles, Inc.

A Santa Monica medical marijuana activist was overjoyed
today by a San Francisco federal judge's ruling barring the
government from prosecuting doctors who prescribe cannabis.

This is a double whammy victory,'' said Dave Fratello
of Americans for Medical Rights, the group that worked for
passage of the state ballot measure that legalized
marijuana for medical uses.

This means, at least for a time, doctors are not going
to be subject to threats by the government, just because
they are trying to help their patients and give them the
best possible treatment,'' he said.

A Clinton administration lawyer told U.S. District Judge
Fern Smith that doctors should be allowed to discuss'' the
risks and benefits of the drug with their patients.

But the lawyer said doctors face loss of their
prescription licenses, and possible prosecution, if they
recommend'' the drug.

Smith said the difference between the two is unclear,
and is confusing to doctors.

She issued a temporary restraining order barring the
government from taking action against any doctor in
California who discusses or recommends marijuana.

The order will remain in effect until Smith rules on
doctors' requests for an injunction against the government.

The government has asked that the lawsuit filed by a
group of doctors and activists be dismissed.