Medical Marijuana

Full text of the law.

The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States; and to recommend and support non-enforcement

Held that no implied medical necessity exception exists to prohibitions on manufacture and distribution of marijuana established by Controlled Substances Act.

Held that application of CSA provisions criminalizing manufacture, distribution, or possession of marijuana to intrastate growers and users of marijuana for medical purposes did not violate Commerce Clause.

Held that application of CSA to growers and users did not violate substantive due process guarantees and user failed to demonstrate likelihood of success on her claim that CSA, as applied to prevent her use of medical marijuana, violated Tenth Amendment.

Reviews issues facing Congress regarding the debate over the medical use of marijuana. Provides background on medical marijuana prior to 1937, and Federal medical marijuana policy since 1937. Reviews State and local referenda and legislation allowing use of medical marijuana, public opinions on the issue, and analysis of arguments for and against the use of medical marijuana.

Examines Federal domestic enforcement measures to reduce availability and use of illegal drugs. Presents and analyzes data reported by Federal agencies that enforce drug control laws. Reviews and analyzes selected Federal drug enforcement outcomes data, such as arrests, convictions, and incarceration statistics, drug interdiction efforts, cannabis eradication, drug laboratory seizures, and money laundering and illegal drug financing. Addresses issues and options for Congress, and includes chrono

Examines Supreme Court decision in Gonzales v. Raich, which represented conflict between California State law permitting the medicinal use of marijuana, and the Federal Controlled Substances Act. Discusses Supreme Court reversal of initial Ninth Circuit holding, relying on Wickard v. Filburn, as precedent for concluding that Congress had a rational basis for concluding that leaving home-consumed marijuana outside Federal control would substantially affect conditions in the interstate market.

Examines 2001 Supreme Court decision in United States v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative , involving the cultivation or distribution of marijuana for medical purposes. Reviews related constitutional issues and legislative activity.

Provides background on the issue of using smoked marijuana as a form of medical therapy, and outlines Federal regulations and Government actions related to marijuana. Discusses medical uses of marijuana and current research on medical marijuana. Reviews Canadian, State, and local referenda and legislation allowing use of medical marijuana, Supreme Court rulings on medical marijuana, and recent Congressional legislation on medical marijuana.