Medicinal Cannabis

I haven't read anything in these posts that I could readily disagree with, given my generally federalist leanings. That said I don't feel like this was some sort of deathblow to federalism, or a reversal of precedent. Therefore, I can't share the strong feelings expressed previously because I find the concept of medicinal cannabis highly suspect. There is currently a bill, Senate Bill 74, in the Ohio Senate, which would regulate medicinal marijuana in certain cases. You can examine that bill here. The bill is quite long, and I believe it also reduces existing penalties for illegal use, etc.

I suppose it would be no secret, given my oft-disclosed feelings on the matter, that I oppose this bill. Most of the letters I have received in support of SB 74 come from openly avid users. They acknowledge that implementation of medicinal marijuana is part of an agenda meant to fully legalize the substance. There is almost no commentary on or from the actual patients whose pain this could, evidently, alleviate. What I am saying is that legislation such as this generates a very real sense that this isn't about medicine at all. This is reflected in bill testimony and support. This would explain why such legislation is supported more by the average Joe smoker than by medical professionals.

Again, I don't disagree with the previously stated positions on this matter, from a legal or constitutional standpoint. However, I also should disclose that the outcome of the decision is not disagreeable to me in a practical sense. You see what I am driving at?

So, that leaves me in disagreement with the Court. The Court it outside it bounds. But I don't see this as any more of a gross violation of federalism that anything that it or the legislature has been doing since FDR. In fact, probably less so. Because of this, I think some of the contempt displayed in recent posts is, at least somewhat, out of place. This decision was not revolutionary, but rather, in our age, ordinary.