A federal appeals court in California has ruled that doctors who recommend marijuana to patients suffering from chronic pain cannot be stripped of their licence to prescribe drugs. California’s 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against a previous decision by the US Supreme Court, deciding that doctors who “recommend” – as opposed to prescribe – medical marijuana are simply exercising their rights to free speech, and should therefore remain free from prosecution. The unanimous decision has been declared “a major victory for patients and doctors” by medical marijuana supporters. Federal officials have taken a hard line on the medical use of marijuana, even though nine states permit medical use of the illicit drug under their own laws.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 30th October 2002
