Medical Cannabis in the US Supreme Court
interview by Jen Rog
| Angel Raich took her fight to save her life to the US Supreme Court. She is legally using medical marijuana under California state law to treat an Inoperable brain tumor, life-threatening wasting syndrome, chronic pain disorders, seizure disorder, nausea, Scoliosis, TMJ, and many other documented medical conditions. Go to www.angeljustice.org for more info on Angel and her case. |
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Notes: A lot of people think that the US Supreme Court ruling on medical marijuana made it impossible for states to pass medical marijuana laws. What did it really mean?
Angel: It did not invalidate any state or local law, it just made it so that the federal government can handcuff patients and take them to jail. There are actually other localities and one state that have passed medical cannabis policies since the ruling. Rhode Island was the last state. It shows that you still can pass measures to protect patients.
Notes: How did the ruling affect you personally?
Angel: It made me not safe. The federal government can come and
knock down my door right now. The federal government has created more stress in my life which has in turn affected my health. I am now afraid of them more. That they will take my life and my kid’s mother from them; but it makes me want to keep fighting. It makes me want to continue to stay alive. Now, the 9th circuit federal court has taken jurisdiction over the case. The arguments that we win that case on will determine the next argument that we present to the US Supreme Court. It will probably be the 9th amendment of the Bill of Rights, and the doctrine of medical necessity, which both involve the
right to life. And we expect to be in front of them [US Supreme Court] again next
summer [2007].
Notes: Did you expect to be and how did you feel about being a “medical marijuana celebrity?”
Angel: I take great honor with that because patients want me to keep
doing it. For those too sick or too afraid I’m happy to take the risk for them. That was not on my foremind when I did this. I wanted to create a case that would go to the ussc, and really change public opinion on the issue. I’ve already been speaking out since 1998, and I was afraid of dying and losing my life because I was outspoken. But to save medical cannabis patients’ lives I would do it again. I am going to fight them until the last breath in my body, but I’m fighting with a different mindset now—there’s more at stake. If I go to the ussc again and lose I will lose my life. And so will a lot of other people. The Constitution will have a word—life—that doesn’t mean anything anymore. It’s that big. My position in the past was to work hard to be a survivor and not be a victim, but a victim has to acknowledge when they need help. Each day and each night that passes is harder knowing I have to be out there by myself. I want to know when humanity is going to step up and stop this. When are they going to pick me up? Wipe my tears when they fall down my cheek. They’re not just my tears—I cry for so many patients.
Notes: What would you like to say to all the people who support safe, legal access to medical marijuana but just don’t think it’s important?
Angel: I could be their sister; their daughter; their brother’s wife—an aunt. Their neighbor. I could be you. You could be me in years to come—and would you want this to be there for you? I didn’t think I would use medical cannabis ever at the time I voted for it [Prop.215, California – 1996]. Life happens that way. I voted for it because I was suffering. I felt that if it was helping someone I was for it. I was offended when the nurses pulled me aside and suggested I use cannabis. I don’t like using it; I have no other choice to save my life.
‘If we hear more from our con-stituents then we might feel more compelled to do something.’ They [legislators] say they haven’t heard enough from people. Get active—call your local politicians and encourage them. It’s that simple: five minutes of your time. It’s not like coming out into the public. And don’t think you’re not doing something by picking up the phone. You might think you’re hitting your head against a wall but if enough people hit it the wall will crumble. |
