Posted by pinksharkmark (64.32.124.133) on May 15, 2001 at 12:35:31:
In Reply to: govt ruling posted by Kevin on May 15, 2001 at 08:23:56:
The two drugs are on different DEA "schedules". Mushrooms (more accurately psilocybin) are a "Schedule 1 controlled substance", whereas I believe marijuana is (erroneously, of course) lumped in with heroin and cocaine as a "narcotic".
The definition of a "Schedule 1 controlled substance" is "one for which there is no currently accepted medical use". Key words are "currently accepted".
The wording in the case of narcotics, I think (not sure) is tougher. Instead of "medical use", the phrasing is "compelling medical NEED", or something similar. In other words, only allowed if there is ABSOLUTELY no other treatment on the planet for that specific circumstance. The burden of proof is on the doctor to show that ONLY marijuana will do the trick, and that the marijuana is NECESSARY. Tough task.
Of course, this is all absurd. The Supreme Court's ruling is clearly unconstitutional, particularly since we are talking of a weed. This is not something that must be synthesized... just walk outside and pick some. The damn stuff grows wild in every temperate climate in the world.
pinky