FEDS RULE DOCTORS MAY RECOMMEND POT

In a decision that could have immediate implications for physicians and
patients in California, a federal judge ruled on Sept. 7 that doctors have
a constitutional right to recommend pot to their patients, and cannot be
disciplined by the government for doing so.

The order, by U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup, also prohibits the
government from initiating investigations of physicians who have made such
recommendations.

Alsup wrote that the order applies even if the doctor anticipates that a
patient would use that recommendation to obtain marijuana in violation of
federal law.