Supporters of the use of marijuana for medical purposes will swiftly take their campaign to Congress in the wake of Monday's Supreme Court decision that federal anti-drug laws can be enforced against users of medical marijuana in California and nine other states. The 6-3 decision in Gonzales v. Raich was a sharp defeat not only for the medical marijuana movement but also for the Rehnquist-led trend of the past decade that reined in congressional efforts to restrict or pre-empt the states. [continues 962 words]
Arguing For The "Medical Necessity" Of Marijuana Use, Proponents Pursued A Sober, Conservative Strategy Gerald Uelmen was about to argue on behalf of the medical marijuana movement before the U.S. Supreme Court on March 28. But first, he had a family matter to attend to. Uelmen, a professor and former dean at Santa Clara University School of Law, moved the admission of his wife Martha and daughter Amelia into the Supreme Court bar. Using the standard language of such motions, Uelmen told the Court he was "satisfied that each possesses the necessary qualifications." "You'd better be," replied Chief Justice William Rehnquist in a stage whisper, responding to laughter from the court. [continues 1247 words]
SAN DIEGO In the continuing saga of government invasion of our personal privacy, today could be a landmark day. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that asks whether police may use "thermal imaging" devices to detect the heat coming from a house -- in this case, heat from an indoor marijuana-growing operation -- without first obtaining a search warrant. Does this police practice violate our cherished Fourth Amendment guarantee against "unreasonable searches and seizures"? The case is being closely watched as a guide for a whole new generation of spy toys and detection devices that law enforcement officials are using to gather evidence against potential lawbreakers. [continues 775 words]
