"Without comment, the court turned down the pair of appeals."
"The Supreme Court and the lower courts in California have blown away the myth that federal law somehow prevents states from legalizing medical
marijuana," said Rob Kampia, executive director for the
marijuana Policy Project."
"The action probably will clear the way for patients in San Diego and San Bernardino counties to seek county-issued identification cards that show they are eligible to possess and use
marijuana."
"Monday's order "marks a significant victory for medical
marijuana patients and their advocates nationwide." It dispels any remaining doubts that the state laws are valid, he said, and it "leaves ample room for states to move forward . . . with independent medical
marijuana policies."
""The courts have made clear that federal law does not preempt California's medical
marijuana law and that local officials must comply with that law," said Joe Elford, chief counsel with Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a national medical
marijuana advocacy group with a large presence in California. "No longer will local officials be able to hide behind federal law and resist upholding California's medical
marijuana law."
"It is not the job, in other words, of local cops or municipalities to enforce federal laws. In fact, the federal government has never made such an argument. The California counties acted on their own."
"ASA has now given notice to 10 conservative holdout counties (Colusa, Madera, Mariposa, Modoc, Mono, San Bernardino, San Diego, Solano, Stanislaus, and Sutter) of their legal obligation to implement the ID card program."
Ref:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/0..._n_204681.html
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,4902661.story