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Department of Human Services

Oregon Medical Marijuana - Legal Information

Current Rules & Statutes

  • Advisory Committee Handbook (pdf)
    Disclaimer: The Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana is a statutorily approved body (ORS 475.303) that provides the Department of Human Services with advice on the administrative aspects of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. The work of the committee does not necessarily represent the views of the Department.

Department of Justice Memos

  • On October 19, 2009, the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) issued a memorandum to provide clarification and guidance to federal prosecutors in states that have authorized the medical use of marijuana. The guidance makes it clear that USDOJ is committed to prosecuting enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act, but that, as a general matter, federal resources in states with medical marijuana laws should not be focused on individuals who are "in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana." Prosecution of commercial enterprises that unlawfully market and sell marijuana for profit will continue to be a priority of USDOJ

     

    The guidance from USDOJ does not make the use of medical marijuana legal under federal law, and does not create a defense to a federal prosecution for a drug related offense. Download this memo (pdf) for printing.

Court Decisions

  • Dr. Marcus Conant, et al., v. McCaffrey et al
    This September 7, 2000, US District Court ruling held that the US Government could not punish physicians for voicing their professional opinions based on their best medical judgment.

  • Dr. Marcus Conant, et. al., v. John P. Walters, et. al.
    This October 29, 2002, decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld an earlier decision that the US Government could not punish physicians for voicing their professional opinions based on their best medical judgment (Conant v. McCaffrey, September 7, 2000). The Court of Appeals decision upholds the First Amendments rights of physicians who recommend the use of medical marijuana for their patients.
 
Page updated: December 10, 2009

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