>Sender: >To: >X-Original-Message-ID: <06ff01bf3e54$d2779310$9acf69cf@pacbell.net> >From: "Peter McWilliams" >Subject: Another sad day for peaceful activism >Date: Sat, 4 Dec 1999 04:41:01 -0800 >X-Mozilla-Status: 8001 >X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 > > >Judge Dismisses Medical Pot Suit > >.c The Associated Press > > PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A federal judge has dismissed a class-action lawsuit >brought by 165 people who sought to extend a government program allowing >people to use marijuana for medical purposes. > >U.S. District Judge Marvin Katz ruled that the government acted properly>when >it ended its ``compassionate use'' program in 1992. The program, begun in >1970, had allowed certain people to use marijuana for medical reasons, but >has slowly been phased out. > >Only 8 patients nationwide, some of whom have cancer and glaucoma, still >receive marijuana under the program. > >The plaintiffs sought the freedom to use marijuana ``without control or >interference'' by the government. > >``If the government allows eight people to get it, then all people who need >it should be able to get it,'' their attorney, Lawrence Hirsch, had argued at >a hearing. > >Katz ruled Wednesday that although it seems odd for the government to be >giving out marijuana, even to a few people, it was acceptable to phase out >the program gradually. Those involved in the program before 1992 should >retain the right to use the drug until their deaths, he said. > > >================================================================ > >This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to > the mailing list . >To unsubscribe, E-mail to: