Opinion ID: 779709
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Federal Marijuana Policy

Text: 2 The federal government promulgated its policy in 1996 in response to initiatives passed in both Arizona and California decriminalizing the use of marijuana for limited medical purposes and immunizing physicians from prosecution under state law for the recommendation or approval of using marijuana for medical purposes. See Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11362.5. The federal policy declared that a doctor's action of recommending or prescribing Schedule I controlled substances is not consistent with the `public interest' (as that phrase is used in the federal Controlled Substances Act) and that such action would lead to revocation of the physician's registration to prescribe controlled substances. 1 The policy relies on the definition of public interest contained in 21 U.S.C. § 823(f), which provides: 3 In determining the public interest, the following factors shall be considered: (1) The recommendation of the appropriate State licensing board or professional disciplinary authority. (2) The applicant's experience in dispensing, or conducting research with respect to controlled substances. (3) The applicant's conviction record under Federal or State laws relating to the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of controlled substances. (4) Compliance with applicable State, Federal, or local laws relating to controlled substances. (5) Such other conduct which may threaten the public health and safety. 4 The policy also said that the DOJ and the HHS would send a letter to practitioner associations and licensing boards informing those groups of the policy. The federal agencies sent a letter two months later to national, state, and local practitioner associations outlining the Administration's position (Medical Leader Letter). The Medical Leader Letter cautioned that physicians who intentionally provide their patients with oral or written statements in order to enable them to obtain controlled substances in violation of federal law ... risk revocation of their DEA prescription authority.