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Marijuana Law Reform
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Learn about the ACLU's work representing University of Massachusetts Professor Lyle Craker in his efforts to secure a DEA license to cultivate marijuana for use in FDA-approved studies. Marijuana is the only Schedule I drug that the DEA prohibits from being produced by private laboratories for scientific research, which has resulted in a unique government monopoly that fundamentally obstructs the appropriate research and regulatory channels that would allow marijuana to be brought to market as a fully legal prescription medication. |
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Drug Policy
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Marijuana Law Reform
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Press Releases
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U.S. Supreme Court Rejects California Counties' Challenge to State Medical Marijuana Laws (05/18/2009) WASHINGTON - The U.S. Supreme Court today declined to hear an appeal brought by San Diego and San Bernardino counties challenging the validity of California's medical marijuana laws. The Court's order leaves intact the rulings of California's state courts, holding that state medical marijuana laws are entirely valid despite the federal prohibition on marijuana.
Bush Administration Deals Eleventh Hour Blow To Scientific Freedom (01/12/2009) WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Bush administration struck a parting shot to legitimate science today as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) refused to end the unique government monopoly over the supply of marijuana available for Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved research. DEA’s final ruling rejected the formal recommendation of DEA Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Mary Ellen Bittner, issued nearly two years ago following extensive legal hearings.
Federal Court Rules U.S. Government May Not Deliberately Subvert California’s Medical Marijuana Laws (08/20/2008) SAN JOSE, CA - In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a federal court today held that the U.S. Constitution bars deliberate subversion by the federal government of state medical marijuana laws.
ACLU Sues Sheriff’s Deputies to Uphold New Mexico Marijuana Law (01/17/2008) CARLSBAD, NM – A paraplegic man is suing Eddy County Sheriff's deputies for seizing marijuana plants and equipment to grow marijuana, which he uses to control pain resulting from a spinal cord injury. Leonard French received a license to cultivate and use small quantities of marijuana for medicinal purposes from the state of New Mexico under the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, which represents French, says the deputies' actions violated not only that law, but also state forfeiture laws and a constitutional prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures.
Members of Congress Ask DEA to Stop Obstructing Medical Marijuana Research (09/18/2007) Washington, D.C. – A letter signed by 45 members of the U.S. House of Representatives will be delivered today to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) demanding an end to the obstruction of scientific research aimed at developing marijuana as a legal prescription medicine.
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Drug Policy
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Marijuana Law Reform
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Legal Documents
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San Diego County v. California - ACLU Brief in Opposition to U.S. Supreme Court Review (04/15/2009) The ACLU's brief in opposition to San Diego County's motion for U.S. Supreme Court review. San Diego is appealing the ruling of California's state courts that the state's medical marijuana law is fully valid despite federal prohibition.
In the Matter of Lyle Craker - Motion for Reconsideration (01/30/2009) A motion for reconsideration of University of Massachusetts Professor Lyle Craker's petition to the DEA for a license to cultivate marijuana for use in FDA-approved studies.
In the Matter of Lyle Craker - DEA Denial of Application (01/12/2009) DEA's final ruling rejecting the application of UMass Amherst Professor Lyle Craker for a license to cultivate research marijuana for use by scientists in FDA-approved research. The ruling, which contradicts the recommendation of DEA Administrative Law Judge Mary Ellen Bittner, maintains the unique government monopoly over the supply of marijuana available for FDA-approved research.
San Diego v. NORML - ACLU Brief to California Supreme Court (09/24/2008) The ACLU's brief to the California Supreme Court urging that the Court reject the appeal of two California counties challenging the validity of the State's medical marijuana laws. San Diego and San Bernardino Counties are appealing the July 31, 2008 ruling of the California Court of Appeal, which held that California’s medical marijuana laws are entirely legitimate.
Santa Cruz v. Mukasey - Order Denying Government Motion to Dismiss (08/20/2008) A ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, denying the federal government's motion to dismiss the case and holding that the U.S. Constitution bars deliberate subversion by the federal government of state medical marijuana laws.
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Drug Policy
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Marijuana Law Reform
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Legislative Documents
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In the Matter of Lyle Craker - Congressional Sign-On Letter (09/18/2007) A letter signed by 45 members of Congress urging DEA Administrator Karen Tandy to follow an administrative law judge's recommendation and grant Professor Lyle Craker a license to cultivate marijuana for use in FDA-approved studies aimed at developing marijuana as a prescription medicine.
Testimony of Valerie Corral at the House Judiciary Committee's Oversight Hearing on DEA's Regulation of Medicine (07/12/2007) Written testimony of Valerie Corral, founder of the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM), a medical marijuana hospice, prepared for presentation before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security during oversight hearings on the Drug Enforcement Administration's regulation of medicine. Corral addresses the federal government's policies of obstructing state medical marijuana legislation as well as legitimate scientific research. [Note that spoken testimony may not directly reflect this document]
ACLU Letter to the House of Representatives Urging Members to Vote For The Hinchey/Rohrabacher/ Paul/Farr Amendment To The Science-State-Justice-Commerce Appropriations Bill (06/26/2006)
Santa Cruz, California's Proposed Ordinance Establishing an "Office of Compassionate Use" to Provide Medical Marijuana to Qualified Patients (11/07/2005)
ACLU Letter to the House Urging Support of the Farr-Rohrabacher Medical Marijuana Amendment and the Flake Amendment on Travel to Cuba to the FY 2005 Commerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary Appropriations Bill (07/06/2004)
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Drug Policy
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Marijuana Law Reform
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Resources
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Profile of Medical Marijuana Activist Valerie Corral (09/22/2005)
Time Line: In the Matter of Lyle Craker (08/22/2005) A time line of University of Massachusetts Professor Lyle Craker's efforts to secure a DEA license to cultivate marijuana for use in FDA-approved studies.
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer's Opinion to the California Department of Health Services Following the Supreme Court's Decision in Gonzales v. Raich (07/15/2005)
ACLU Letter to Alaska Attorney General Marquez Concerning State's Response to Gonzales v. Raich Ruling (06/16/2005)
Walters v. Conant: Judith Cushner - Plaintiff, Breast and Uterine Cancer Patient (10/01/2003)
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