ive and other similar medicinal marijuana clubs from distributing marijuana. The Oakland club openly distributed marijuana to numerous members on May 21, 1998. Breyer rejected the club’s request to modify his injunction to allow marijuana for seriously ill patients. A U.S. appeals court, however, agreed with the club last year. The court said Breyer failed to give enough serious consideration to the possibility that cannabis was a necessary treatment for patients served by the club, and that medical necessity could be a defense to a charge of distributing drugs in violation of a federal law, the Controlled Substances Act. Two months later, Breyer said the club could give marijuana to sick people with serious medical conditions and for whom legal alternatives to marijuana do not work or cause intolerable side effects. The Justice Department got the Supreme Court to issue a Stay of Breyer’s order, and also appealed to the Supreme Court by declaring that the case presented “an issue of exceptional and continuing importance” (Reuters). The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case next year, and a decision is expected by the end of June 2001.The legalization of marijuana has become a major issue, and the number of supporters and opponents seems to be equally divided. As stated previously, many physicians feel that marijuana is helpful in the treatment of AIDS, glaucoma, and cancer treatment. They also feel it is helpful for the treatment of arthritis, migraine headaches, multiple sclerosis and spasticity. Proponents want this law supported so that the drug can be legally regulated. People who really need it can get it and use it without being criminally prosecuted. With the enactment of this law, physicians would also be protected if they should recommend marijuana to their patients. Physicians are given more scrutiny as to why they prescribe this drug to patients. The law would give physicians a righ...
