(Calif.) high court opens door for prosecuting some medical pot suppliers

[Newsjock]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Someone who supplies marijuana to a patient who has a doctor's approval for it can be prosecuted for drug-dealing, the state Supreme Court ruled today in a narrow interpretation of California's medical marijuana law.

Advocates on both sides of the case agreed that the unanimous ruling would encourage Californians to obtain medical marijuana from patient cooperatives, which are authorized by a 2003 state law, rather than from an individual supplier.

... But Lawrence Gibbs, attorney for the Santa Cruz County man who appealed his marijuana-dealing convictions, said the court "made it much, much more difficult for qualified patients to get their medical marijuana."

Although patients can turn to cooperatives or clubs, Gibbs said, the resulting centralization of cultivation and supply will make raids and prosecutions much easier for federal authorities, who are not bound by Prop. 215. President-elect Barack Obama said during the campaign that he supports a state's right to legalize the medical use of marijuana, but believes it should be subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/24/BAD314B41O.DTL&tsp=1

[Ian David]

1. "High" court?? n/t

[Gregorian]

2. Obviously. Doh.

Although Chong would make for a better justice than Scalia.

[AtheistCrusader]

3. Why would this be of interest to anyone?

Seriously, all this to accomplish what? What the hell are these people trying to prove? Aren't there enough real criminals out and about to hound? Yes, let's give sick people one more thing to be uncertain, or flat out terrified of. Great job.

[Piewhacket]

4. Prison industry requires constant supply of red meat.

But don't take my word on it. Ask Cheney.

[ksimons]

5. funny they don't want to go after billions/trillions lifted from consumer wallets by Wall Street

but they are more than happy to go after a few people who are following the laws of their State.

January 20th can't come soon enough. Desperate Repubbies trying to make themselves relevent. Sad.

[2Design]

6. discrimination continues - pro-life except when it is convenient for them

to let people die, or bomb them, or deny them health care, etc. until they all die unless they are wing nuts