Pubdate: Fri, 04 Aug 2000 Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA) Copyright: 2000 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. Contact: PO Box 120191, San Diego, CA, 92112-0191 Fax: (619) 293-1440 Website: http://www.uniontrib.com/ Forum: http://www.uniontrib.com/cgi-bin/WebX MEDICINAL MARIJUANA STILL OPPOSED The Department of Justice yesterday pledged to continue resisting California's voter-approved medical marijuana law, arguing the government has the right to penalize doctors who recommend cannabis by revoking their licenses to dispense medication. Justice Department lawyers argued their position in U.S. District Court here during the final stage of a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, which contends the government's position violates doctors' free speech rights, and because many doctors resist recommending pot for fear of losing the federal right to prescribe medication. From Union-Tribune news services - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D