Due to the federal court order currently under appeal, the organization is temporarily not allowed to distribute cannabis to its members until further notice. .
Before 1996 when Proposition 215 was passed, it was unlawful to grow or possess marijuana, regardless if it had to be used it to ease the pain or any other ailments. Since the approval of the proposition, marijuana has only been used when a physician has concluded that a person may benefit from its use, aiding in the treatment of AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, chronic pain, arthritis, and any other illness where it might bring relief. It is also used in routine cases of anorexia because it brings back the appetite of the person, therefore making them eat more food. .
The federal government has a problem with this issue. There has been no proof shown that these people are medically dependent upon marijuana to carry on with their lives. It also has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Proposition 215 was not totally defining in its limitations for its use by saying, " or any other illness where it might bring relief." These type's issues concern the voters against the proposition as well as the federal court system. The government also believes that it could possibly corrupt the D.A.R.E. police program in grade schools if they see that it is acceptable to smoke marijuana. The children understand when they are told to stay away from drugs, but on the other hand do not understand why they see that it is acceptable for some people to use it on a regular basis.
A couple reasons that the federal government would support it is because there have been cases where chemotherapy made the patient worse and other prescription medicine did not work against cancer. The patient was then given marijuana and was able to continue through his chemotherapy and eventually was cured. That same patient no longer smokes marijuana and credits his life to the plant.
