If ever more proof were needed that the Home Office have got the wrong end of the stick regarding cannabis this is it. Whilst the United Kingdom looks forward to the threat of a prison term for self-medicating with cannabis , in California, the court of appeals has upheld a statute protecting marijuana users who have a recommendation from their doctor for using the whole-plant as medicine.
There's no talk of cannabis psychosis, or of the "lethality" of this new breed of skunk cannabis. Also a large portion of the US press is prepared to cover this material with honesty and integrity, commodities sadly missing from our own nations press output.
There's reams of medical evidence which pay witness to the fact that cannabis can help some people who use it with their doctors blessing and surely in terms of medical conditions like Multiple Sclerosis it should be a doctor who decides, not a politician?
An appeals court in California has upheld a state law allowing seriously ill patients access to medical marijuana with a physician's recommendation.
The 1996 law protects qualified cannabis-using patients from criminal prosecution from over-zealous law-enforcement officials.
San Diego and San Bernardino County officials argued the measure conflicted with federal law outlawing the drug's use.
But the 4th District Court of Appeal disagreed, saying the federal law was intended to "combat recreational drug use, not to regulate a state's medical practices."
Judges also concluded that the counties did not have the necessary 'clout' to challenge the entire state law as they are only 2 amongst many.
The respective counties are considering an appeal to the state Supreme Court.
California is one of 12 states to legalize medical marijuana use, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, which lobbies for such measures at the state and federal levels.
Check out the following link for more information on how the Marijuana Policy Project from Washington DC is lobbying the US governemnt, successfully I might add, for justice regarding what is an inherently safer substance than alcohol or tobacco, and regardless of what Jacqui Smith or Vernon Coaker say. Both of whom admit to experimenting with this "lethal" substance and from where I'm sitting at least, they did ok with their lives so why shouldn't you?
If you would like to add your voice (and your vote) to the UK cannabis debate, please join us on the new Canna Zine cannabis forums .
