US PA: Wire: Federal Judge Gives OKs Pot Case

Pubdate: 15 Mar 1999 Source: United Press International Copyright: 1999 United Press International

(PHILADELPHIA) - A federal judge is refusing to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to legalize the medical use of marijuana. U.S. District Judge Marvin Katz says the plaintiffs in the class-action suit deserve the chance to prove the government has no reason to deny the drug to seriously ill people. Justice Department officials say they stand by the fact that marijuana remains an illegal drug, but the lawyer representing the 165 people who are part of the suit says medical research has shown that marijuana can help patients suffering from glaucoma and combats the nausea caused by drugs used to treat cancer and AIDS.