Supreme Court rebukes Bush administration
The Supreme Court rejected the Bush administration’s arguments in favor of states’ rights in Gonzales v. Raich on Monday.
In a personal setback to President Bush, the Supreme Court on Monday rejected the Bush administration’s pro-states’ rights arguments in Gonzales v. Raich. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that states cannot defy federal law and allow patients to use medical marijuana. The Court ruled that this applies even if the medical marijuana has never crossed a state line and is grown solely for personal use on the recommendation of a licensed physician.
President Bush has personally made medical marijuana a priority for his administration. During the 2000 election, he made states’ rights a centerpiece of his campaign, and said of medical marijuana, “I believe each state can choose that decision as they so choose.”
After September 11, Bush lamented that raids against AIDS and cancer patients exemplified federal law enforcement’s misplaced priorities. His administration called such raids “a waste of money and manpower that can be better put to use” fighting terrorism.
Washington insiders said that this was likely the end of the Bush administration’s strategy to support federalism. The White House had no comment.
- Bush announces kinder, gentler war on terrorism
- Three-pronged attack will end racism, encourage self-defense, and end prohibition.
- Bush: Marijuana Laws Up to States
- “Republican presidential front-runner George W. Bush says he believes individual states should choose whether to ban the use of marijuana for medical purposes.”
- Tell Congress: It’s up to YOU to protect sick and dying patients
- “The federal government now has a choice: Enact sensible legislation that preserves the quality of life of patients across the country or continue wasting taxpayer money raiding sick and dying patients even when they abide by state and local law.”
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