By Callan Smith | Rose Law Group Reporter Social Media Coordinator
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling on the case of United States v. McIntosh, which specifically affects providers of medical marijuana in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, all of which have legalized medical marijuana.
With this ruling the DOJ can no longer prosecute medical marijuana patients and/or providers for violating federal cannabis laws as long as they are in full compliance with state laws. The three judge Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel held unanimously that the DOJ cannot spend funds to go after patients or providers, unless those people were in violation of state marijuana laws.
The people of the United States do not want their government interfering in a patient’s right to use medical cannabis. Thankfully the ninth circuit clearly communicated that message to the DOJ today. Patients and providers throughout the 9th circuit can sleep a bit easier tonight
~ Ryan Hurley
