This policy insults thousands of law abiding citizens and would probably not survive a constitutional challenge. Those already receiving financial aid will be subject to random testing to maintain their eligibility. The Legislature intends to expand the program to test all state welfare recipients by April 1, 2003. Rittenberg successfully struck down provisions of a 1997 Louisiana drug testing bill that required all residents receiving moneys from the state, including those holding state contracts, to pass a urine test. Congress amended federal law in 1996 to encourage states to drug test welfare recipients and deny financial aid to those who test positive.
Police know first hand that arresting marijuana smokers is a waste of time and resources.
The CACP recommended that first time marijuana offenders receive a ticket and pay a small fine in lieu of arrest or criminal penalties. Helliwell analyzed responses from more than 200 medical marijuana users from Australia and overseas. He found that 63 percent of respondents had discussed their medical marijuana use with a health worker, and 50 percent had spoken to their local doctor. Patients in the survey reported using marijuana to treat conditions like nausea, chronic pain, muscle spasms, digestive disorders, glaucoma, AIDS wasting syndrome, depression, and pre-menstrual tension. A previous survey of AIDS specialists conducted by South Australia Drug and Alcohol Services Council found that 85 percent of them were aware of their patients medical marijuana use.