 | NORML News: International News round-up |
 News briefs on u.s supreme court med-pot victory, presidential candidates inhale, and pot out, speed in for Olympic athletes from NORML News Summer 2003-4
u.s supreme court med-pot victory
In a major victory for doctors and patients, the US Supreme Court has declined to hear the federal government's case against doctors' rights to recommend medical marijuana. The court refused to review a lower court's decision to uphold a doctor's right to recommend cannabis to patients. This means the federal government cannot threatening sanctions against physicians who recommend, or even discuss, medical marijuana use with their patients.
presidential candidates inhaLe
When it comes to marijuana, youthful indiscretion has come of age in the USA. These days lots of politicians, including three Democratic presidential candidates, show no fear of owning up to lighting up in their youth. Indeed, some who deny dabbling in illegal drugs give the impression that instead of feeling self-righteous, they're a little nervous about coming across as dishonest or just square. Eight candidates at a debate were asked whether they ever had used marijuana. John Kerry, John Edwards and Howard Dean each answered "yes," drawing enthusiastic applause from the Rock the Vote event's audience. Only former New Zealand ambassador Carol Mosely refused to answer the question, and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman actually apologized - for not having smoked pot.
pot out, speed in for Olympic athletes
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has just updated its list of banned substances for athletes and cannabis is now included. Wada is hasty to explain that they do not consider cannabis to be performance enhancing, just illegal. Meanwhile, caffeine and (pseudo)ephedrine have been removed from the list, apparently on the grounds that too many athletes tested positive for them. The NZ Sports Drug Agency has thoughtfully sent out a warning to our prospective Olympians to stop toking in time for their drug tests.
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