|
Supreme Court upholds public health rights of States |
|
|
|
|
Written by Chris Conrad
|
The US Supreme Court Jan. 17 affirmed the power of States to control
their own public health policies, in a 6-3 ruling that upheld Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act. State voters passed the 1997 initiative to legalize physician-assisted suicide for terminal patients.
The Court focused on the historic role of States in
regulating medicine and safeguarding public health. It reaffirmed their
power to pursue measures that are novel, controversial or face strong
disapproval elsewhere. The Court read the Controlled Substances Act as
respecting that role.
 BAKERSFIELD — Nature’s Medicinal and friends celebrated their success in moving the City Council to take a more supportive position regarding local dispensaries. The county is implementing a patient ID card program. Photo by Jaime Galindo
Justice Clarence Thomas dissented from the decision,
saying it is inconsistent to rule against States Rights on medical
marijuana, but for them on suicide.
|
Volume Two 
