The Law and Politics of Medical Marijuana

Since 1996, voters in California, Arizona, Maine, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Alaska have approved initiatives legalizing the medicinal use of marijuana. The federal government, however, continues to arrest and prosecute anyone who possesses marijuana – whether it is being used for medicinal purposes or not. On Wednesday, March 28, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in United States v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers’ Cooperative. The issue is whether a person accused of violating the federal prohibition on marijuana can invoke a “medical necessity” defense before a jury in federal court. Please join us for a discussion of the law and politics of medical marijuana.