In a 6-3 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court has rule that federal law can be used to prevent doctors from prescribing marijuana for treatment of pain caused by serious illnesses, including cancer. As reported here by Reuters, Justice John Paul Stevens, writing the Court’s majority opinion stated, “Congress' power to regulate purely activities that are part of an economic 'class of activities' that have a substantial effect on interstate commerce is firmly established.” The Court’s ruling also allows the federal government to ban the growing of marijuana by individuals for personal use.

Also See: Marijuana Abuse by Adults Increased Markedly During 1990s