Drug Watch International
Press Release

May 15, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From Drug Watch International and
The International Drug Strategy Institute
www.drugwatch.org

Drug Watch International Praises U.S. Supreme Court Decision Against Medical Use of Marijuana

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that smoking marijuana is illegal under federal law without exception for medical use is gratifying to Drug Watch International and the many prevention and rehabilitation organizations throughout the U.S.  The Courts landmark ruling reflects a Congressional finding that marijuana cigarettes have no medical benefits justifying such an exception. By an 8-0 decision the Court rejected the attempt of the marijuana lobby to substitute anecdote for scientific fact in order to excuse the failure of marijuana cigarettes to meet established U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards. 

As Drug Watch International has frequently noted, Marinol (which is purified, synthetic THC, the primary active ingredient in marijuana) has been available for some years by prescription in pill form.  It is FDA-approved for nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, as well as for anorexia and weight loss associated with AIDS.  Marinol can be processed into other forms, e.g. suppositories, to treat people whose illnesses do not respond to other approved medicines.

"Marijuana cigarettes as medicine" is simply a Trojan Horse ploy by the marijuana lobby to "normalize" this illicit drug and ultimately achieve its legalization.  The Supreme Court has thrown a roadblock in the path of this destructive and malignant objective.

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