David Kravets of the AP:
Q: What was the case decided by the Supreme Court?
A: The justices overruled an injunction against federal prosecution of two California women with doctor’s recommendations for marijuana use. The decision clarifies that the federal government can prosecute violators of federal drug laws, even when people are following state law.
Q: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington state allow patients with a doctor’s recommendation to smoke and grow marijuana, or to have it grown for them. Should medical marijuana users in these states now fear federal prosecution?
A: Federal authorities have already made more than 60 medical marijuana arrests in the last five years nationally, almost all of them in California. But such raids remain relatively uncommon. The Justice Department declined to discuss its strategy, but “people shouldn’t panic,” California Attorney General Bill Lockyer said.
Q: What have the 10 states done in reaction to Monday’s ruling?
A: Oregon tentatively stopped issuing medical marijuana identification cards to new patients, but it was business as usual in the other states.
More here. [Thanks to Winfield J. Abbe.]